Welder – GMAW (“MIG”)

Are you good with your hands? Are you mechanically inclined? Then listen to this! 60% of everything manufactured has a welded component. If you are interested in becoming a Welder, we have the training for you.  The Quick Careers Welder program consists of a series of courses* designed to not only prepare students for a career as a Welder (MIG) but also to prepare them to earn AWS Level I – Entry Welder certification.                                                                             

*Awards of Completion are earned at the successful completion of all of the courses in the program.  Introduction to Welding is a prerequisite for the MIG Welding course.

Class Information

Introduction to Welding (1 of 2)

This course is a prerequisite for the Welding – MIG course. It is an introduction to basic welding processes.

This 64-hour training includes:

  • 10 hours Safety
  • 20 hours Measurement, basic hand tools, grinding bevels on plate, clamp, and fit-up
  • 34 hours GMAW Process & Theory, Machine Operation, and Welding

Next class will be scheduled in the fall 2023 term.  

Welding – GMAW ("MIG") (2 of 2)

This course introduces gas metal arc welding (GMAW). Topics include equipment setup and fillet and groove welds with emphasis on application of GMAW electrodes on carbon steel plate. Upon completion, students should be able to perform fillet welds on carbon steel with prescribed electrodes in the flat, horizontal, and overhead positions.

This 128-hour training includes:

  • Safety & Health of Welders
  • Welding Symbol Interpretation
  • Identification of the various electrode classifications
  • Selection and set up of gas metal arc welding equipment
  • Identification of the various weld defects and discontinuities
  • Identification, preparation and fit-up of the various joint configurations
  • Identification of GMA welding equipment parts
  • Use of basic hand and power tools
  • Performance of various welding exercises with GMAW equipment

Students can earn the AWS (American Welding Society) Level I – Entry Welder Certification during class 2.  https://www.senseonline.org/.

 Next class will be scheduled in the fall 2023 term. 

Both courses are held at the Center for Advanced Manufacturing (CADM), 6012 W. Gate City Blvd, Greensboro on the Jamestown Campus.

Frequently Asked Questions

Course 1 registration fee is $188
Book cost is approximately $219
Tool Kit/PPE cost is approximately $782
Course 2 registration fee is  $213 (includes certification fee)

Total cost is $1,402

Payment for class is due at the time of registration.

  • Good Computer Skills
  • E-mail and access to a computer with Internet
  • 20/20 vision, corrected (with glasses) or uncorrected (natural vision) *This is critical!*

Yes.  In order to be successful in the Quick Careers program, students need to have good computer skills. If you are a beginner on the computer, you should take a course FIRST, to strengthen your computer skills before registering for a Quick Careers course. (Contact the Quick Careers Office @ 336-334-4822 extension 53108 with questions).

Individuals should also know that as a Quick Careers student, you will need to have access to a computer outside of class in order to complete required coursework. Computers used outside of class would need to be Internet connected and also have compatible software to what is used in class (e.g. Microsoft® Word, Excel, and, Power Point 2010, etc.) If you do not have a home computer, you should plan to visit a GTCC “Open Lab” to complete required course work.

The below checklist provides information regarding the minimum computer skills needed in order to register for a Quick Careers course. Potential students should thoroughly evaluate their computer skills using this checklist.

Good Computer Skills Self-Assessment

  1. You should be able to turn a computer on and off
    • Do you know the difference in an operating system versus an application software?
      (i.e. Windows® 10 versus Microsoft® Office 2019)
  2. Do you know how to use the computer desktop?
    • Do you know how to make a folder on the desktop?
    • Do you know how to save information on the desktop?
    • Do you know how to retrieve information from the desktop?
  3. Do you know how to use the internet?
    • Can you bookmark a website?
    • Can you Google search/research information on the internet?
  4. Do you have a personal or GTCC/school issued email account?
    • Can you access your personal email from a computer other than your home computer?
    • Can you send internet links via email?
    • Can you send an attachment in an email?
  5. Do you know how to create, save and use a basic Microsoft® Word document?
    • Can you use word processing software
    • Can you type at least 25-30 words per minute?
  6. Are you familiar with Microsoft® Excel?
    • Can you use spreadsheet software
  7. Are you familiar with Microsoft® PowerPoint?
    • Can you use presentation software

You may be eligible for scholarship money. Click on the link below to learn if you might meet the applicant requirements.  Scholarship have time sensitive application deadlines.

WORKFORCE training SCHOLARSHIPS

Additionally, the NCWorks Career Center may be able to assist thru the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) program.  For more information call NCWorks Greensboro: (336) 297-9444 or NCWorks High Point: (336) 882-4141.

You may register online.

Book and tools/supplies:

ISBN 9780357377659 Welding Principles & Applications, 9th Ed. From Cengage.  Approximately $219 at Jamestown GTCC Bookstore.  Recommend purchase prior to 1st night class.

ID 958873560124 MIG Welding Tool Kit.  Approximately $604 at Jamestown GTCC Bookstore 
Must purchase prior to 3rd night of class.

PPE (Personal Protective Equipment):  
Must purchase prior to 3rd night of class.

Students who successfully complete both of the Welder classes will receive an Award of Completion.  

Requirements for Successful Completion:

  • Attendance: Must be in class 90% of class hours.
  • Coursework: Achieve 80% on coursework.

If you enter after the second day of class, you will not receive credit for taking the class.  Additionally, time absent will be counted against you; students can only miss 19 hours of class total and pass the class. 

The college will make a 100% refund of registration fees if you officially withdraw from class before the first meeting.  Also if the class is canceled or full, GTCC will make a full refund. 

The college will refund 75% of the registration fee (of tuition only) if you officially withdraw from the class on the first day of class or before the class reaches the census date.  The census date varies from class to class.  Non-attendance is not a basis for a refund.