Welding Technology Certificate

Program Description

This one year competency based program leads to a Certificate in Welding Technology and provides training for skills and related technical knowledge necessary for advancement in the metals industry. Instruction includes classroom study as well as extensive practice in the welding lab. Peninsula College welding students are trained to the American Welding Society (AWS) and Washington Association of Building Officials (WABO) structural codes.

Program Length: 3 Quarters
Program Code: WETWTC45

Career Opportunities and Earnings 

Throughout Washington state there is an extremely high demand for welding technicians, with annual job openings for welders and fabricators and fitters. The advisory committee for this program emphasizes that someone with good welding skills is well prepared to compete for a living-wage welding job. The demand for welding technicians should remain strong over the next decade.

• Engineering technicians
• Fabricators
• Fitters
• Inspectors
• Plant maintenance personnel
• Sales and service representatives
• Supervisors
• Welders

For current employment and wage estimates, please visit and search for the relevant occupational term: bls.gov/oes.

Program Outcomes

When this program is completed, the student will be able to:

• Weld all types of joints
• Perform oxyacetylene cutting
• Perform shielded metal arc, gas metal arc, and gas tungsten arc welding
• Apply workplace safety guidelines
• Use and apply welding terminology
• Read basic blueprints

Special Features

• In-house certification prepares students to take AWS certification examinations
• In addition to the AAS and one-year certificate, this program offers short-term certificates in welding skills
• The instructors of the Welding Technology program are certified welding educators
• Peninsula College is an approved AWS test facility. Persons interested in taking AWS examination(s) should contact the program coordinator for information
• Additional separate welding courses for persons not seeking the Welding Technology degree are available through this program, as is a preparatory course for the welding certification examination

Program Prerequisites

College-level skills in English and math (eligibility for courses numbered 100 or higher) are recommended before registering for the English and applied math courses required in this program. Students may need to complete prerequisite coursework. The placement test will help determine placement level if not known. Previous coursework may also indicate placement level.

Approximate Additional Costs

• Books, supplies and miscellaneous fees (per quarter): $250 
• Tools/Equipment: $1,000
• AWS Certification Exam (optional) (per quarter): $225 (Students may take up to three certification exams per quarter.)
• Tuition and fees: $6,599.62 total based on 2024-25 WA resident tuition rates (additional fees may apply)
  • First quarter (18 credits): $2,029.58
  • Second quarter (20 credits): $2,285.02
  • Third quarter (20 credits): $2,285.02

Sample Schedule  

This sample schedule is provided as a guide for a full-time student starting in fall quarter whose goal is to earn a certificate. The typical student schedule is based on entering the program during the fall quarter, however some programs allow students to enter in the winter or spring as well. Since not all do, please confirm with an advisor whether this program must be started during a specific quarter or not.