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Welding at Stafford Technical Center

If you are a Vermont resident who is searching for a job that allows them to earn a wage that is directly related to how hard they work then you should consider a career in welding through training opportunities available through Stafford Technical Center.

The employment outlook for both entry-level and experienced welders should be excellent as employers report difficulty finding enough qualified people. Also, many openings will arise as a large number of workers retire over the next decade. One factor affecting employment of welders is the health of the industries in which they work. The construction industry in particular is expected to have solid growth through 2020 and an increasing demand for welders. Government funding for shipbuilding and infrastructure repairs and improvements are expected to generate additional welding jobs to construct buildings, bridges and other structures as well as joining pipes in pipelines, power plants, and refineries.

To address this need for skilled welders head-on, Stafford Technical Center ATE has designed and offers three carefully sequenced courses that will prepare students for immediate entry-level employment opportunities in a variety of fields. Training begins with Introduction to Welding Processes, a class that will give students an understanding and appreciation of thermal cutting, shielded metal arc welding, gas metal arc welding, and gas tungsten arc welding. From here, students will enroll in SMAW Welding Level I, a course that will allow participants to develop hands-on proficiency using shielded metal arc welding—a process that is considered the standard for a variety of industries. And finally, students will complete this “welding boot camp “ by enrolling in GMAW-FCAW Welding Level I, a class that will introduce students to skills that are used predominantly in both construction and manufacturing. Students completing the prescribed sequence of three courses and who demonstrate end-of-course proficiency in the skills necessary for certification will be given the opportunity to test (for an additional fee) for a nationally-recognized industry credential through the American Welding Society (AWS).

To receive promotional or enrollment materials for this or any other continuing education or workforce development program at Stafford Technical Center please call (802) 770-1178 or visit our website at www.staffordonline.org.