Welding & Fabrication
WELDING AND FABRICATION (CIP Code: 48.0508)
Welding and Fabrication students learn the skills and techniques necessary for success in a career that values well trained, experienced workers. Students will learn Stick, MIG,TIG, OFC cutting/welding, plasma arc cutting as well as gas welding and about the operation of welding and metal fabrication machinery.
Instructor: Mr. Rocco Sexton (rsexton@nmtcc.org)
Please see the tabs below for more detailed information about the program.
- Program Overview and Outcomes
- Pre-Apprenticeship
- Industry Certifications
- Cooperative Education Opportunities
- Task List
- Course Materials
- Classroom Expectations
- Honors Course
- Acknowledgments
Program Overview and Outcomes
The Welding and Fabrication program of study is designed to prepare the interested student for varied welding and fabrication career opportunities. The demands for highly skilled craftsmen are many. Students will learn to inspect PPE and equipment for safe operation, set up and operate various types of welding, thermal cutting, and allied process equipment found in the welding trade. Students will earn relevant industry certifications in our welding and fabrication program, as our program is certified by the American Welding Society (AWS). Topics covered in this course include the safe and proper operation of welding, cutting, and grinding/finishing tools. Training includes the use of standard measurement tools and shop layout equipment. Students will receive training on shop equipment such as shears, press brakes, roll formers, water-jet, and CNC Plasma tables. Upon completing the program, students will be prepared to enter the workforce and be college-ready.
Career/College
Potential Welding Career Opportunities:
Gas-Metal Arc Welder (MIG), Pipe Welder, Gas-Tungsten Arc Welder (TIG), Steamfitter, Boiler Maker, Millwright, Combination Welder, Iron Worker, Sheet Metal Mechanic
Potential Welding Career Opportunities with Post-Secondary Education:
Welding Engineer, Metallurgist, Welding Inspector, Welding Technician, Welding Sales, Business Owner, Mechanical Engineer, Welding Instructor, Diver/Welder
Pathways to College:
- PDE SOAR Agreements
Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology
Pennsylvania College of Technology
Delaware County Community College - 1:1 Articulation Agreements
Northampton Community College
Johnson College
St. Francis University
Thaddeus Stevens
Profile of a Graduate
Pre-Apprenticeship
This program is a Registered Pre-Apprenticeship designed to prepare students for entry into Registered Apprenticeship Programs (RAPs) or related employment opportunities. It facilitates individual success through career training, support services, mentorship, and exposure to apprenticeship offers. Students participate in authentic learning experiences, including field trips to registered apprenticeship sponsors, networking events, job fairs, and resume/interview support. Upon completion, students receive a Pre-Apprenticeship Certificate of Completion from the Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry, demonstrating their commitment to the trade and readiness for employment or advanced training.
Industry Certifications
Cooperative Education Opportunities
Cooperative Education allows students to be employed during the school day while gaining meaningful instruction in a technical area, applying classroom knowledge to real-world experiences, and developing life-long career skills. Students may be allowed to go to work for a number of days determined by their teacher and the cooperative education coordinator.
Task List
A program task list is an instructional tool to measure the technical competency of a student. During your enrollment in the Welding and Fabrication program, you will be taught and assessed on the following tasks:
100- Occupational Orientation And Safety
200- Principles Of Welding
300- Welding, Drawing, And Weld Symbol Interpretation
400- Visual Examination, Inspection, And Testing
500- Shielded Metal Arc Welding (Smaw)
600- Gas Metal Arc Welding (Gmaw)
700- Flux Cored Arc Welding (Fcaw)
800- Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (Gtaw)
900- Manual Oxyfuel Gas Cutting (Ofc)
1000- Mechanized Oxyfuel Gas Cutting (Ofc)
1100- Manual Plasma Arc Cutting (Pac)
1200- Manual Air Carbon Arc Cutting (Cac-A)
Course Materials
All basic tools and equipment are supplied within this program throughout your North Montco Technical Career Center (NMTCC).
· Safety glasses
· Safety side shields for prescription glasses
· Hearing protection
· Respirators (disposable)
· Replacement welding gloves are available for purchase at NMTCC
Welder PPE is a personal choice, therefore the size, type, and cost of equipment purchased can vary significantly. NMTCC students receive a student discount with Airgas of Hatfield. A student price sheet is available upon request. All student equipment must be inspected and approved by instructional staff prior to entering the shop.
Students will need to purchase the following PPE for Welding:
- Welding Helmet
- Welding Jacket
- Welding gloves (Stick, Mig, and Tig)
- Work gloves
- Skull Cap
- Chipping Hammer
- Wire-brush
- Soapstone & soapstone holder
Additional required items include:
- Tape measure
- Square
- Protractor
- Weld Gauges (fillet)
From the beginning of the school year, all students will be required to wear a uniform, comparable to one worn in the trade.
Uniform/Clothing Requirements:
- NMTCC Welding T-Shirt (Available to purchase here.)
- NMTCC Welding sweatshirt
- Work pants
- Steel-toe work boots
Program Fees:
- AWS membership fee- $15
- Activity Fee: All students are also required to pay an activity fee of thirty-five dollars ($35) – (separate check made payable to “North Montco Technical Career Center” or payable online)
- Certification fees
Textbooks / Learning Management System / Communication
Textbooks and assignments will be accessed through our Canvas learning management system. The textbooks and instructional resources used in class are:
· Goodheart- Wilcox Modern Welding
· Miller Openbook online welder training
· SP/2 Welder Safety Training
· CareerSafe OSHA 10 Safety Course
NMTCC provides students with a Google Account and a Canvas account. To access these accounts see below for links, and username and password format:
Google account: https://www.gmail.com
Canvas account: https://nmtcc.instructure.com/login/canvas
Username: (first initial) (last name) (2 digit Graduation yr)@students.nmtcc.org
Password: 9-digit student ID number (found on back of ID card)
Example: username: jdoe24@students.nmtcc.org
password: 000012345
Classroom Expectations
- Daily Class Procedures
- Classroom Rules
- Safety
- Physical Criteria
- Grading Policy
- Senior Portfolio
- Attendance Policy
Daily Class Procedures
Classroom Rules
Students must follow all rules in the NMTCC Handbook. In addition to the rules stated in the NMTCC handbook, students and parents are required to read and sign the Welding Rules and Expectations at the beginning of each school year.
Discipline procedures are as follows:
· First offense: Verbal warning. The instructor will contact home.
· Second offense: Discipline referral. The instructor will contact home.
· Third offense: Discipline referral and progressive discipline according to the NMTCC handbook. The instructor will contact home.
· Fourth offense: Discipline referral and progressive discipline according to the handbook and possible removal from the program.
Safety Violations will result in an immediate discipline referral. The instructor will contact home.
Each discipline infraction will result in points deducted from the daily work ethic grade.
Safety
Safety is not an option! Safety is YOUR responsibility! Students are required to follow all rules and regulations. In addition to following all NMTCC’s listed and/ or posted safety and MSDS Policies, refer to the specific equipment manufacturer’s user, operator, or consumer guides and or shop manuals for complete safety details when using any equipment. Students are not permitted to use any equipment or tools unless they have been trained on and authorized by the instructional staff.
Potential Safety Hazards:
- Liquid and gas chemicals, including flammable gases, accelerants, and noble (inert) gases.
- Burns, cuts, and noise exposure
Physical Criteria
- Manual dexterity
- Heavy lifting/carrying
- Strong eye/hand coordination
- Physical stamina/strength
- Pushing/pulling
- Standing for hours in one position
- The use of pacemakers, wearing contact lenses, and students who experience seizures due to bright lights are strictly prohibited in the welding lab.
- Ability to lift up to and including 50 lbs.
Grading Policy
Knowledge grades are based on a rubric designed to follow industry standards and procedures. Knowledge grades are 30% of the grade.
Skill grades are based on task completion. Skills grades are 40% of the grade.
Work Ethics are based on daily attendance, proper PPE, and work performance. Work ethic is 30% of the grade.
Senior Portfolio
Every student must complete a Senior Portfolio. Portfolios will be created by following the sequence of grade-level assignments. Senior Portfolio artifacts will be graded per program expectations and assignment criteria and be included in the marking period grade for which the assignment is due. Portfolios will be housed in their Google Drive. Students will be able to take the portfolios with them or have access to them after graduation.
Attendance Policy
Due to the amount of work it takes to complete some of the assignments, your attendance is essential to get the most out of your learning experience. If you are going to be absent or late, please have your parent or guardian call the school or bring in a note. Students who are absent will receive a Work Ethic grade of "0" for the day. If the absence is excused, the student will receive a Work Ethic grade of a "5" with an opportunity to make up the assignment and have their Work Ethic grade changed to a "10". Students who are late will receive a Work Ethic grade of a "5" for the day. If the lateness is excused, the student will receive a Work Ethic grade of a "5" with an opportunity to make up the assignment and have their Work Ethic grade changed to a "10".
Honors Course
Students have the opportunity to enroll in the Honors level course of their CTE program. The Honors course is for 12th-grade students who have demonstrated a high level of interest and achievement in their program and who aspire to an advanced level of learning. Students in the Honors course will be exposed to individualized industry-related advanced work, rigorous study of CTE subject matter with embedded academic content, and practical application of knowledge and skills to work-based situations. Students must meet the required prerequisites and submit a completed Academic Teacher Recommendation form during their 11th-grade year to be considered for the Honors level course.
Prerequisites:
100% of POS Tasks
GPA of >90% in CTE program
GPA of >80% in academic courses
Recommendation Form completed by academic teacher
Specific Industry Certifications:·
- Minimum of two AWS Welder Certifications
- OSHA 10-hour Course
- SP/2 Welder Safety Training
Acknowledgments
Parents are asked to review and acknowledge the program information by either:
-
Visiting the Parent Portal using this link, or
-
Signing the program syllabus distributed in class and returning it to the program teacher.
