This career major is an introduction to the basics of one of the hottest careers at Tech — welding. In this program you’ll explore what it takes to cut and weld metal. You’ll learn how to perform Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW) Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW), Flux Cored Arc Welding (FCAW) and Oxy-fuel Cutting (OFC).  Students who successfully complete the program will be able to perform fillet and groove welds with backing in all positions using five different electrodes, three modes of transfer and self-shielded and gas shielded wire.  Before heading into the shop, students will cover welding/shop safety and be introduced to welding symbols, blueprints and industry mathematics.  Attention will also be placed on industry credentials with opportunities for students to attain.

How You’ll Learn Hands-On

Get out of the classroom and into the real world with projects such as:

• Creating custom smoker grills
• Designing mobile welding beds

Where it Can Take You

Use the skills you’ll learn in this program to find a career you’ll love. Possibilities include:

• Pipe Welder
• Combo Pipe Welder
• Welding Supervisor
• Entrepreneur

Career Readiness Certificate

WorkKeys®, an assessment tool from the ACT® organization, measures skills employers have identified as critical to job success in their industry and are used in hiring and promoting employees. Students are able to earn the ACT®-issued National Career Readiness Certificate by meeting the score requirements for their job field on three WorkKeys® assessments.

Matching the right employees with the right job creates employee job satisfaction, increased self-confidence and the best wages possible for the employee. The employer benefits with reduced turnover and training, increased productivity and overall company success. To learn about the WorkKeys® scores needed for your future career field visit Job Profiles.

The required WorkKeys scores for this career major are:

Applied Math – 3
Workplace Documents – 3
Graphic Literacy – 3

Graduation Requirements

In order to be successful in a career, students will need to meet all technical and academic standards related to their career of choice at Meridian. Meridian offers rigorous programs of study designed in cooperation with business and industry to ensure students are fully prepared for the demands of the workplace.

Meridian’s Career Ready Credential

When a student completes all standards as set forth in their program of study, they will be considered a graduate of Meridian and receive the Career Ready Credential. Students who do not meet these standards will not be considered graduates of Meridian. Students should have:

• Completed all courses in a career major with a grade of “C” or above and achieved required industry-based certifications for the career major
• Achieved WorkKeys® scores at or above the level required for the career major or earned an ACT® composite score of 19 or greater (Students may substitute equivalent scores on SAT, ACCUPLACER or other approved assessments.)

Additional Endorsements

Students earning a Career Ready Credential may also earn the Postsecondary Ready Endorsement, Citizenship Ready Endorsement and the National Career Readiness Certificate (CRC).

Postsecondary Ready Endorsement

• Earned, or was on track to earn, a high school diploma or GED at the time of Meridian graduation
• Achieved a subscore of 19 or greater on the ACT® in math, English, reading and science (Students may substitute equivalent scores on SAT, ACCUPLACER or other approved assessments.)

Citizenship Ready Endorsement

• Completed employment profile, résumé, job application, cover letter, mock interview and job search training through OKJobMatch.com
• Documented active membership in a CareerTech Student Organization or professional association related to the program of study
• Documented 20 hours of volunteerism or service in a community activity

National Career Readiness Certificate (CRC)

• Completed WorkKeys® assessments in Applied Math, Graphic Literacy and Workplace Documents and received a silver, gold or platinum National Career Readiness Certificate through the Oklahoma Department of Career and Technology Education.

Get Started

Apply for admission as a high school student. Apply for admission as an adult. Contact the Career Planning Center with questions at 405.377.3333.

Welding Fundamentals and Certification Short Courses

Already working and just need a welding fundamentals or certification short course that meets twice a week in the evenings? Go to our short course listings and enter “welding” in the search bar to see when our next classes start.