Program Overview
COVID-19 UPDATE:
Health and safety measures are in place for all programs. View our latest campus entry procedures for on-site classes to learn more.
For classes with on-site lab curriculum, students will be grouped and have specified times on campus in order to help maintain self distancing and keep everyone healthy. Current students should check with your instructor for more information.
Future Students: Please review our Steps to Enroll or, if you want more information, sign-up for a Virtual Information Session.
Forge a New Career Building the Infrastructure of Tomorrow
Welding and metal fabrication are stock tools of many trades. In the US, the demand for trained weld fabricators continues to rise in the small shop setting. The range of job opportunities and skill needs is diverse; including blueprint reading, layout, cutting and fitting parts, tack and production welding, finishing and material handling.
We are a WABO accredited testing facility and offer WABO welder certification testing and test preparation to the public.
Degrees & Certificates
Two-year degree for students who want to start a career immediately after graduation. Learn more.
- Credits to complete: 96.0
- Estimated program length in quarters: Full Time - 5 to 6 | Part Time - Part Time Option Not Available
Two-year, job-training degrees that prepare students for immediate employment. Students take additional general education electives, making this a good option if you intend to transfer to a Bachelor of Applied Science (BAS) degree program or may attend a university in the future to earn a bachelor’s degree. Learn more.
- Credits to complete: 101.0
- Estimated program length in quarters: Full Time - 6 to 7 | Part Time - Part Time Option Not Available
Certificate programs provide students with a set of skills to find a job or stay current in a profession. Many certificates are designed to build on top of each other and eventually lead to a longer-term certificate or degree. These are called “stackable” certificates. Learn more.
- Credits to complete: 66.0
- Estimated program length in quarters: Full Time - 3 | Part Time - 3
Additional Program Information
Training includes all facets of welding and fabrication operations including planning operation sequences, applying knowledge of geometry, heat effects and metal properties, positioning, fitting, welding and material handling. Computer training is included so that WFT graduates can program and operate state-of-the-art computer-controlled machinery. Special projects are also offered for the journey-level weld fabricator desiring to update skills and certification.
Graduates are prepared for positions such as weld fabricators, shop supervisors, estimators and shop owners in boat building, automotive, machine fabrication, commercial fishing gear, piping systems, and building construction and maintenance.
Maritime Welding
The maritime industry needs well-trained, skilled workers today to fill the jobs of tomorrow. To meet these needs, Vigor Industrial Shipyards partnered with South Seattle College to form the Harbor Island Training Center.
Program lengths are estimates, not guarantees. For the most current program information, please check with the program contact.