Welding

Program Description

Welders join metal parts together using a tool that generates intense heat. They also study blueprints or project specifications, calculate the dimensions of the parts to be welded, inspect materials or structures that need welding, monitor the process of welding, and maintain welding machinery and equipment they work with. Welders work in a wide range of industries including aerospace, automobile, manufacturing, construction, maritime and more.

CCBC, in partnership with Earlbeck Gases and Technologies, offers a series of welding courses that covers the fundamentals of welding including basic metallurgy, welding codes, nondestructive examination, and welding symbols, through intermediate level welding in Gas Metal Arc (MIG), Gas Tungsten Arc (TIG), or Shielded Metal Arc (Stick) processes. Students perform various weld positions with different metals depending on the welding process.  Classes are held at Earlbeck, which is fully equipped to offer hands-on training and instruction. 

Students should be detailed-oriented, dependable, self-controlled, follow safety rules, follow directions, have manual dexterity, have mechanical aptitude and have mathematical aptitude.  Students will also need to be able to stand for long periods of time, and be able to lift 35 pounds. Students will be working around flames, high temperatures, and fumes.  ​

According to the U.S. Department of Labor, overall employment of welders is projected to grow 3% from 2022 to 2032 in Maryland.  Projected annual job openings in Maryland are 340.  Additional career information may be found in Career Coach: https://ccbcmd.lightcastcc.com.

Program Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this Continuing Education Workforce Certificate, students will be able to:

​1. prepare to pass American Welding Society (AWS) certifications;

2. prepare material and safely perform fillet and groove welds on various types of metals; and  

3. prepare for a career in welding in a variety of industries.

CCBC Pathway & Track

Technology and Engineering Pathway: Manufacturing Track - Pathways are designed to help you meet your academic and career goals by aligning related courses and programs.  Pathway students participate in a variety of activities that help explore career opportunities in their field of study.  You can meet with a CCBC advisor who help align — or realign — your educational plan with the Pathway that best supports you and your goals.

Program Credential

CCBC Credential:

Program Options: Students will be awarded a Continuing Education Workforce Certificate, and will have access to a Continuing Education academic record (transcript).

Individual Courses: Students will receive a Continuing Education course completion certificate for each class, and will have access to a Continuing Education academic record (transcript).

External Credential:

Earlbeck Gases and Technologies completion certificates are given for each class, as well as an AWS qualification certificate upon successful completion of all intermediate level classes. 

Certifying Organization:

American Welding Society (AWS)

www.aws.org

Financial Aid and Payment Options

We offer financial aid by packaging public and private funding options to those who qualify, in select Continuing Education courses and programs. Additional opportunities for financial support include partial payment options through Nelnet Business Solutions and tuition waivers for those who qualify. Resources outside of CCBC may also be available through employer/sponsor paid tuition, the Department of Rehabilitation Services (DORS), and your local office of workforce development.

Some CE Workforce Development Certificate Programs are eligible for early high school funding through Maryland Blueprint for qualifying BCPS high school students.  Please check with your School Counseling Office to determine your eligibility for the BCPS Tuition Benefit Program. 

Program Length

Courses are offered at Earlbeck Gases and Technologies. Training is provided in both daytime and evening formats throughout the year.

5 weeks (days), 15 weeks (evenings)

Program Requirements

Minimum age of 18

Possess good reading and writing skills​

Application Process

To apply, go to www.ccbcmd.edu/apply and complete the CCBC Continuing Education Workforce Certificate program application.  An email will then be sent with program information and any additional requirements necessary to apply for the program.

Open Entry – No screening or documentation required.

Prior Learning Assessment

This program has no options for obtaining course waiver(s) for prior learning.

Program Course Sequence

Program consists of Fundamentals of Welding and Intermediate (Gas Metal Arc, Gas Tungsten Arc, or Shielded Metal Arc) Welding.​ These classes can be taken separately or combined in a Career Welding course. Prices vary dependent on the selected sequence.

Gas Metal Arc Welding Option A - Two-course registration pricing (not financial aid eligible)

Gas Metal Arc Welding Option B - Combined Pricing for single registration (financial aid eligible)

Gas Tungsten Arc Welding Option A - Two-course registration pricing (not financial aid eligible)

Gas Tungsten Arc Welding Option B - Combined pricing for single registration (financial aid eligible)

Shielded Metal Arc Welding Option A - Two-course registration pricing (not financial aid eligible)

Shielded Metal Arc Welding Option B - Combined pricing for single registration (financial aid eligible)

Additional Information

​Additional Offerings (not financial aid eligible):
APP285 - Welding Basics
APT083 - Blueprint Reading for Welders 
VOA581 - Advanced Welding

Career Coach

Research your career interests, explore live job postings, take a career assessment, discover which companies in the Baltimore region are hiring, and more.  View a brief tutorial video on how to use Career Coach at https://youtu.be/C7KpznbPYfA.  Explore career and training opportunities at https://ccbcmd.emsicc.com/.

Program Contact Information

Coordinator: Steve Ricketts | sricketts@ccbcmd.edu | 443-840-4442 | Catonsville | BESS 100L

​​​​​​​Administrative Assistant: Denise Bellamy | dbellamy@ccbcmd.edu | 443-840-4712 | Catonsville | BESS 100

Technical Standards

Technical Standards for CCBC’s Welding Program

The primary goal of The Community College of Baltimore County’s Welding program is to prepare students for entry-level employment as welders capable of performing SMAW (stick), GMAW (MIG), and GTAW (TIG) processes in manufacturing, construction, fabrication, and related industries. Instruction and practice emphasize safe hot work procedures, code compliant workmanship, and readiness for AWS Certified Welder performance testing.

Following is a partial listing of the types of skills typically required for adequate job performance.

Physical Requirements

A. Sufficient strength, stamina, and mobility to:

• Stand, walk, bend, crouch, and work in awkward postures for extended periods while welding, grinding, fitting, and positioning workpieces. https://www.onetonline.org/link/summary/51-4121.00
• Lift, carry, push, or pull 35 pounds regularly and up to 50 pounds occasionally (e.g., materials, fixtures, leads, gas cylinders on carts, fume arms).
• Climb stairs and ladders; work on platforms; maintain balance when handling torches or electrodes aloft. https://www.onetonline.org/link/summary/51-4121.00
• Work efficiently to meet production or project deadlines in shop and field settings. https://www.bls.gov/ooh/production/welders-cutters-solderers-and-brazers.htm

B. Fine motor coordination and manual dexterity sufficient to:

• Maintain arm-hand steadiness and finger dexterity to perform precision welds in flat, horizontal, vertical, and overhead positions; strike and control arc; manipulate torches, filler rod/wire, and electrodes. https://www.onetonline.org/link/summary/51-4121.00

• Set up and adjust welding machines, wire feeders, regulators, and flowmeters; fit-up parts with clamps, jigs, and hand tools. https://www.onetonline.org/link/summary/51-4121.00

C. Adequate vision, hearing, and sensory perception to:

• Read welding symbols, Welding Procedure Specifications (WPSs), gauges, and digital machine readouts; distinguish colors for leads, gas hoses, and indicator lights. https://www.onetonline.org/link/summary/51-4121.00

• Detect process cues (arc sound, bead appearance, puddle behavior) and environmental warnings (alarms, fire watch calls). https://www.onetonline.org/link/summary/51-4121.00

Interpersonal Skills and Professionalism

A. Professional conduct, ability to:

• Work safely under hot work conditions, adhering to established policies, procedures, and permit to work/fire watch practices. https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/regulations/standardnumber/1910/1910.252 and https://blog.ansi.org/ansi/nfpa-51b-2019-standard-fire-welding-hot-work/

• Demonstrate accuracy, attention to detail, and complete required documentation (e.g., WPS parameters, hot work permits, inspection records). https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/regulations/standardnumber/1910/1910.252

• Interact professionally with diverse supervisors, customers, and inspectors. 

• Maintain eligibility for employer/site requirements (e.g., background checks, drug screening), when applicable to employment or placement.

B. Communication skills sufficient to:

• Give and receive accurate written and verbal instructions; read shop drawings/blueprints and welding symbols. https://www.onetonline.org/link/summary/51-4121.00

• Escalate safety concerns promptly through proper channels (e.g., fire hazards, ventilation failures, equipment defects). https://www.osha.gov/welding-cutting-brazing/standards

Intellectual Ability and Emotional Stability

• Apply problem sensitivity, deductive reasoning, and troubleshooting to select processes, set parameters, and diagnose defects. https://www.onetonline.org/link/summary/51-4121.00

• Exercise independent judgment around pressurized gases, electrical energy, and molten metal, complying with lockout/guarding and hot work controls. https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/regulations/standardnumber/1910/1910.252

• Use available resource materials (WPSs, codes, safety standards) to complete tasks accurately. https://www.osha.gov/welding-cutting-brazing/standards

• Accept and apply feedback during practical evaluations and inspections. https://www.onetonline.org/link/summary/51-4121.00

Environmental Requirements

The welding profession involves hot work with associated risks; students must be able to perform safely under the following conditions:

• Heat, sparks, spatter, UV/IR radiation, and hot metal handling; compliance with OSHA requirements. https://www.osha.gov/welding-cutting-brazing/standards

• Fire prevention and protection measures, e.g., combustible control, guards, extinguishers, designated hot work areas, trained fire watch, and post-work monitoring. https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/regulations/standardnumber/1910/1910.252

• Ventilation and fume control appropriate for the welding process and base metal; respiratory protection when engineering controls cannot maintain exposures below limits, and medical surveillance where required. https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/regulations/standardnumber/1910/1910.1026 and https://www.osha.gov/hexavalent-chromium/standards

• Noise from tools, compressed air, and cutting/grinding; use of hearing protection per exposure assessments. https://www.aiha.org/news/260212-niosh-recommends-engineering-controls-at-shipbuilding-and-repair-company

• Work in confined or awkward spaces, indoors/outdoors, sometimes in extreme temperatures; consistent adherence to PPE and safe work practices. https://www.bls.gov/ooh/production/welders-cutters-solderers-and-brazers.htm

Credentialing and Licensing Context

• AWS Certified Welder (CW) is an industry recognized, performance based certification administered through AWS Accredited Test Facilities. https://www.aws.org/Certification-and-Education/Professional-Certification/Certified-Welder-Program/ and https://aws-p-001-delivery.sitecorecontenthub.cloud/api/public/content/aws-qc7-93?v=df83bce9

• Maryland does not issue a state license specifically for welders; employment typically relies on industry certifications (e.g., AWS CW) and employer/site qualifications.

Sources

Federal Occupational & Workforce Standards

• U.S. Department of Labor – O*NET OnLine
  Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers (SOC 51‑4121.00)
  https://www.onetonline.org/link/summary/51-4121.00

• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS)
  Occupational Outlook Handbook: Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers
  https://www.bls.gov/ooh/production/welders-cutters-solderers-and-brazers.htm

Safety, Health, and Environmental Standards

• Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
  https://www.osha.gov/welding-cutting-brazing/standards

Industry Credentialing & Education Standards

• American Welding Society (AWS)
  AWS Certified Welder (CW) Program
  https://www.aws.org/Certification-and-Education/Professional-Certification/Certified-Welder-Program