Where we foster excellence in education that challenges students of every background to develop their intellect, character, and abilities; to assist students in achieving their educational and career goals; and to be responsive to the greater community.
Welding is a skill used by many trades: sheet metal workers, ironworkers, diesel mechanics,
boilermakers, carpenters, marine construction, steamfitters, glaziers, repair and
maintenance personnel in applications ranging from the sculpture, home-hobbyist to
heavy fabrication of bridges, ships, and many other projects. A variety of welding
processes are used to join units of metal. As a welder, you may work for shipyards,
manufacturers, contractors, federal, state, county, and city governments, firms requiring
maintenance mechanics, and repair shops. Many are engaged in work critical to the
nation's well-being, such as energy production, highway transportation, manufacturing,
and military applications. The arts community also utilizes welding in the creation
of sculpture and other forms of expression.
Careers in Welding Technology are for skilled individuals that develop the necessary
technical knowledge and skills related to welding processes such as Shielded Metal
Arc Welding (Stick), Oxy-Fuel Welding and Cutting, Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (TIG),
Gas Metal Arc Welding (MIG), and many other welding processes as defined by the American
Welding Society www.aws.org. Welding Technology careers can be realized by completing a Community College Welding
Technology Program www.imperial.edu, completing an Apprenticeship Program such as; www.ironworkers.org, www.boilermakers.org, or www.ua.org, On-The-Job training, or through a variety of other methods.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics www.bls.gov, jobs in welding technology will increase by approximately two percent (2%) in the
decade 2008-2018. U.S.BLS states that welders who are educated in, trained, and qualified
to use the most up-to-date welding processes and techniques will have good career
prospects. A sample of the industry sectors in which Welding Technicians participate
are; Petroleum and Energy, Aerospace, Transportation, Construction (Structural), Shipbuilding,
Marine Repair, Manufacturing, and Industrial Maintenance, to name a few. Note; Due
to the high rate of "Baby Boomer" retirements, presently there is a national welding
personnel shortage of approximately 250,000 positions throughout the Welding Technology
Industry sector.
Not all welders are required to earn and hold welding certification to any of the
numerous Industry Welding Codes. However, some employers prefer to hire Welding Personnel,
and Technicians who qualify for, have or have had some type of professional certification,
and/or proof of welding competence.
There are literately hundreds of Welding Codes that may apply to a given Welding Technology
application. These hundreds of codes are the basis for the many welding certifications
individuals may be required to test to and hold.
The three most common Professional Organizations that issue and maintain major Welding
Codes and Welder Certifications are:
Imperial Valley College maintains faculty-approved formal course articulation agreements
with Imperial Valley high schools and the Imperial Valley ROP (Regional Occupation
Program). Courses with articulation agreements follow the California Career Statewide
Pathways Templates in the areas of: Administration of Justice, Allied Health Programs,
Business, Automotive Technology, Building Construction Technology, Child Development,
Computer Information Systems, Health Assistant and Welding.
Students who complete an articulated class offered through a partnering high school
or ROP program, receive a qualifying grade in their course, and pass the IVC Credit-by-Exam
for the subject area, will be eligible to receive college credit for the articulated
corresponding Imperial Valley College class posted to their official transcript. Eligible students will work with the Applied Sciences Office at IVC for the awarding
of college credit.
For specific articulation agreements please contact the Applied Sciences Office or
the IVC Articulation Officer.
Imperial Valley College does not promote nor endorse these web sites. They are provided for your reference and convenience only.
For more information on the Imperial Valley College Welding Technology Program, please contact the following or visit our campus.
Welding Instructor
Carlos Araiza
Phone:760-355-6419
Email: carlos.araiza@imperial.edu