Welders are in greater demand today than at any time during the
past 30 years, and the job outlook is expected to remain excellent
throughout the foreseeable future. They are needed in energy exploration
and production and are required in virtually every field or
industry that uses parts made of metal.
Simply stated, welders are people who join metals such as steel, stainless
steel, aluminum, titanium, gold, silver, brass, bronze, copper,
and nickel. Welding processes vary depending on the application.
Extremely delicate and precise items, such as aerospace components
and jewelry, may be welded using electron beams, lasers, and plasma,
while huge structures for buildings and bridges are typically welded
using submerged arc and electro-slag. Welding may take place in almost
any setting: in a laboratory, out-of-doors, or even underwater, as
in the case of offshore, oil-and-gas platform construction.
According to the US Department of Labor, the job prospects for
welders are excellent, with projected job growth in New Mexico
estimated at 25.5 percent over the next six years, and 5 percent
nationally through 2014, translating to 264,000 additional jobs. Increases
in welder wages have kept pace with or exceeded those of
other occupations since 2002.
The DACC Welding Technology program is nationally accredited by
the American Welding Society (AWS), and is taught by nationally
qualified instructors. Together, DACC welding instructors have more
than 100 years of experience and more than 90 AWS/ASME national
welder certifications on five welding processes.
The program is competency-based, consisting of lectures and
hands-on laboratory exercises. Students learn to weld steels, stainless
steels, and aluminum alloy plate and pipe with five welding
processes. They also learn basic fabrication skills, oxy-fuel cutting,
plasma cutting, and air-carbon arc cutting.
Students are eligible to join SkillsUSA, an organization for high
school and postsecondary students that promotes leadership and
sponsors skills and leadership competitions at the state and national
levels. In addition, students may become members of the American
Welding Society (AWS) and participate in the activities of the new
AWS El Paso Section.
All students who complete the certificate or associate degree will
graduate as certified welders in one or more welding processes on
steel, stainless steel, and/or aluminum. (It is important to note that,
although some local welding jobs may not currently require certification,
nearly all welding jobs nationwide do require it.)
Since the technical requirements for the certificate are the same as
those for the associate degree, a student may complete the certificate
program first and then later apply all the credits earned in the
certificate program toward the associate degree. This associate degree
then may be applied in its entirety toward the bachelor of applied
studies degree offered by NMSU. Alternatively, those planning
to teach at the secondary level may apply up to 36 credits earned in
the Welding Technology associate degree program toward a bachelor
of science degree in Agricultural and Extension Education.
To enter the Welding Technology program, a high school diploma
or GED is required, along with good overall health, eyesight, and
hand-eye coordination. Students must purchase tools and personal
safety equipment, usually costing about $1000.
