Welding Technology

WHY UM-HELENA?

The UM-Helena Welding Technology program offers students the opportunity to train on the newest welding equipment available in the industry. As a regional training center for Miller Electric, UM-Helena receives the latest, state-of-the-art Miller welding equipment. Miller trains our instructors to use this equipment and, in turn, our instructors pass this knowledge on to you, our student. Our instructors have spent many years actually working in the trade and know the demands of the industry first-hand.

WHAT CAN I LEARN?

UM-Helena’s Welding Technology program teaches welding skills using oxyacetylene, manual stick electrode, semiautomatic Mig, Tig (Heliarc), Pulse Mig, and various other welding processes. Working from blueprints, students follow exact specifications and apply practical shop math to accomplish required tasks. Students complete live work projects using skills acquired in classes. In addition, students have the option to take the American Welding Society (AWS) certification practical exams. Our Welding program provides students with the knowledge and training necessary to successfully complete AWS certifications in Stick, Mig, and Tig processes. Certified AWS inspectors approve each test, which is recognized worldwide as the standard to measure welding competence. In 2005, UM-Helena students attained an impressive 98.9% passing rate on their AWS certification tests.
WHERE CAN THIS TAKE ME?

Welders are needed throughout the world, making the job opportunities endless. Students enter the work force with a wide variety of skills and can specialize in specific aspects of the welding trade, including layout and inspection welding, new construction welding, and fabrication.


HOW CAN I EARN MY DEGREE?

Students may choose a one-year certificate in Welding Technology or a two-year Associate of Applied Science degree in Metals Technology. The second year of the AAS degree in Metals Technology focuses on learning machine tool skills. The one-year Welding Technology Certificate of Completion is scheduled as a block of daytime classes and includes the following coursework