We offer three welding programs:

• Structural Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW)
• Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (GTAW)
• Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW)

These acronyms refer to three of the most common welding techniques. These techniques are more accurately described by the American Welding Society titles as noted below. Whatever the name, our expert instructors will help you learn these skills.

• Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW) = Stick (also referred to as “arc welding”)
• Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (GTAW) = TIG
• Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW) = MIG

Determine which technique will meet your needs. This will depend on the type of welding you would like to do (indoors, outdoors, for manufacturing, in construction, for repair, etc). Register for the basic course for your technique choice.

The prerequisite for the basic courses is high school-level reading and math skills.

To help you choose, here are some of the industries where you will use each technique:

• SMAW: Construction, shipyards and repair (like in landscaping).
• GMAW: Manufacturing, heavy construction, welding in automobile shops, and shipyards. It is considered the easiest one to learn since it is semi-automatic (point the torch, start it, and the machine will feed the wire automatically).
• GTAW: Specially used to weld non-ferrous metals. Mostly used in manufacturing, aerospace applications (places like Pratt & Whitney), pipe welding, welding in automobile shops, making automobiles and motorcycles, and shipyards. It is considered the cleanest of the three but also the one where the most coordination is needed (you will be using both of your hands and one of your feet).

A welding certification is a procedure that students must follow to get certified. It shows prospective employers that you are knowledgeable of a specific welding code.

There are many welding certifications for each technique of welding, the process and the materials used. For example, if you are certified in overhead welding of a fillet weld joint, then you would be certified in the 4F position. The number and letter identify the type of position and weld you are certified in:

• 1 is for Flat
• 2 for Horizontal
• 3 for Vertical
• 4 for Overhead

 The higher positions cover the previous ones (for example, a 3G test means you can weld in 1G, 2G and 3G). The letters describe the weld joint. G is for a groove weld joint, and F is for a fillet weld joint. These are the only positions available through our program. You can be certified in others as well, like positions for pipe welding.

Welders may have many certifications throughout their careers, as each company they work for may offer its own certification. They may also apply for other certifications offered by their home state. For example, in Connecticut, the CT DOT welding certification is available through the American Welding Society (AWS) and the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME), among others. 

The certification exam is taken on the last day of the class. Students are tested in accordance with AWS standards, and they will receive a CT State certification administered by a certified welding inspector (CWI). The student will receive paperwork stating the specifications for the tests and that they pass it. They can use this to show the type of test that they passed.

Welding certifications expire after 6 months. That is standard across the board. They can be renewed if you’re working in the field using that specific technique or by taking the test again.

Even if you do not renew your certification, when searching for employment, you should list all the certifications you had, as well as any training and experience, on your resume. You can include copies of the certification paperwork. This way, employers can see that you have passed that type of test in the past and/or that you have had training.

CT State offers various welding certifications in accordance with American Welding Society (AWS) Standards. We are also a CONNDOT-approved testing site.

SMAW (Stick):

•  D1.1, Structural Welding Code, 2G certification
•  D1.1, Structural Welding Code, 3G/4G certification

 GMAW (MIG):

•  D1.1, Structural Welding Code, 3G certification

GTAW (TIG):

• D17.1, Specification for Fusion Welding for Aerospace Applications, 2F in stainless steel
• D17.1, Specification for Fusion Welding for Aerospace Applications, 2F in aluminum

Connecticut Department of Transportation (CONNDOT) Welding Certification:

•  D1.5, Bridge Welding Code, 3G/4G certification

Information on salary ranges in CT

Please go to the O*Net Online site for more information on the job requirements.

Additional lab time for students may be purchased in blocks of 15 hours. Time will be scheduled individually on a space-available basis. No refunds will be issued for unused time. Two options are available: practice with or without test coupons.

All materials, textbooks, safety gear and practice plates are supplied. You will need to bring work boots.

We do not. Please contact the American Welding Society for more information on this certification.

There is no financial aid for non-credit courses, but we do offer payment plans. The Northwest Regional Workforce Investment Board (NRWIB) will help students who qualify for assistance. To determine if you qualify for assistance, please contact your local Department of Labor. This process should be started early.

There is also Veteran’s Assistance. Please call 203-575-8006 to inquire.

You may also want to check with your banking institution to see if there is a loan program available for training.

Information on the welding field

To see different welding techniques, you can search online for TIG, MIG and Stick videos. Below are some sample videos.

• GMAW: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DEDHR-Nst6E  
• GTAW: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tNYmo2_DI6c
• SMAW: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W_fZKZKZiOk