Welding Technology
Gain the knowledge and hands-on skills to become an entry-level Welder! This program includes five courses that can be taken full-time as a whole or at your own pace at night. OSHA 10-hour training and certification are included in this program. (324 Hour Program)
Tuition $5,500
Full-Time Program (324 Hours)
Get Done Quickly and Get to Work!
Workforce Development North Campus
1526 Walden Avenue, Suite 200 | Cheektowaga, NY 14225
Next Day Class Begins:
January 5, 2026 to May 13, 2026
Monday through Thursday
8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Next Evening Class Begins:
January 6, 2026 to September 24, 2026
Tuesday and Thursday
5:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
Tuition $5,500
Financial assistance may be available through ACCES-VR, DCC (prev. BETC)/SUNY Erie One Stop, NETC, the US Department of Veterans Affairs or other sources.
A $300 deposit is required to reserve your spot in this class.
- Tuition does not include steel toe work boots or welding helmet. These are the responsibility of the student to obtain. The approximate cost is $209 and is subject to change.
- Tuition includes five courses: (Course descriptions can be found below.)
- Shop Math and Blueprint Reading (36 Hours)
- Welding 1: Essential Skills (72 Hours)
- Welding 2: Advanced SMAW (72 Hours)
- Welding 3: GMAW and FCAW (72 Hours)
- Welding 4: Precision TIG and GTAW (72 Hours)
Registration Process
This program requires an application and entrance exam.
- Step 1: Fill Out the Registration Application
- Step 2: Choose a TABE Test Date (Testing details will be emailed to you prior to your selected test date.)
Admission Requirements
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A TABE score of 7.0 in reading and 7.0 in math*.
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A personal interview will be conducted.
*Exceptions to admission scores may be considered based on work history, prior education, personal interview, and employer recommendations.
Part-Time Evening Courses
Pay as You Go. Your Pace. Your Schedule.
Workforce Development North Campus
1526 Walden Avenue, Suite 200 | Cheektowaga, NY 14225
- Classes run two nights per week.
- Can be completed in less than one year.
- Courses must be taken in order. (Example: Welding 2 is a prerequisite for Welding 3)
- Choose to take classes one right after another or take a break in between.
Tuesday and Thursday
5:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
Next Classes Begin:
- Shop Math and Blueprint Reading (36 Hours)
- January 6, 2026 to January 30, 2026
- Tuition: $600
- Welding 1: Essential Skills (72 Hours)
- February 3, 2026 to March 31, 2026
- Tuition: $1,225*
- Welding 2: Advanced SMAW (72 Hours)
- April 2, 2026 to May 28, 2026
- Tuition: $1,225*
- Welding 3: GMAW and FCAW (72 Hours)
- June 2, 2026 to July 28, 2026
- Tuition: $1,225*
- Welding 4: Precision TIG and GTAW (72 Hours)
- July 30, 2026 to September 24, 2026
- Tuition: $1,225*
*Tuition does not include steel toe work boots or welding helmet. These are the responsibility of the student to obtain. The approximate cost is $209 and is subject to change.
Get Started with Online Registration
Financial assistance may be available through ACCES-VR or other sources. A Financial Aid Coordinator is on staff to assist you.
Course Sequence and Descriptions
Shop Math and Blueprint Reading (36 Hours)
This course provides welders and fabricators with essential math and blueprint reading skills required for accurate measurement, layout and interpretation of drawings. Students will learn to apply shop math concepts, read and interpret welding blueprints, understand AWS welding symbols and perform basic layout tasks.
Welding 1: Essential Skills (72 Hours)
*Prerequisite: Shop Math and Blueprint Reading or Prior WFD Staff Approval
This 72-hour course provides comprehensive training in Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW). Students will learn proper equipment setup, safe operating procedures and basic to intermediate welding techniques. Emphasis is placed on bead control, joint preparation, welding positions and visual weld inspection. This course prepares students for entry-level SMAW employment or further advanced welding training.
Welding 2: Advanced SMAW (72 Hours)
*Prerequisite: Welding 1: Essential Skills or Prior WFD Staff Approval
This advanced SMAW course builds upon foundational welding skills with emphasis on electrode performance, metal transfer characteristics and advanced plate welding in all positions. Students refine bead control, multi-pass techniques and troubleshooting methods to produce structural-quality welds.
Welding 3: GMAW and FCAW (72 Hours)
*Prerequisite: Welding 2: Advanced SMAW or Prior WFD Staff Approval
This course introduces students to Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW/MIG) and Flux-Cored Arc Welding (FCAW) on carbon steel plate. Students learn machine setup, wire selection, shielding gases and metal transfer modes while performing fillet and groove welds in all positions using solid and flux-cored wire. Emphasis is placed on industrial applications, productivity and code-quality workmanship.
Welding 4: Precision TIG and GTAW (72 Hours)
*Prerequisite: Welding 3: GMAW and FCAW or Prior WFD Staff Approval
This course introduces students to Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (GTAW/TIG) on mild steel, stainless steel and aluminum. Students develop precision welding skills through torch control, filler metal coordination and heat management. Emphasis is placed on clean weld and advanced joint configurations.