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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*
*Tuition assistance is available!

Full-Time Program

Get Done Quickly and Get to Work!
Workforce Development North Campus
1526 Walden Avenue, Suite 200
Cheektowaga, NY 14225

Next Day Classes Begin:
May 18, 2026 to September 3, 2026
September 8, 2026 to December 23, 2026
Monday through Thursday
8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Next Evening Classes Begin:
July 6, 2026 to April 14, 2027
Monday and Wednesday
5:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.

October 6, 2026 to July 15, 2027
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)

Admissions Requirements

  • Transcripts. (Proof of a valid high school diploma, GED or college degree from the U.S. is required. HS diplomas with modified curriculum or individualized programs are not accepted.)
    • Applicants who do not meet these requirements must complete an entrance exam. Please contact Rashada Jackson to schedule.
  • A completed Registration Application.
  • A $300 security deposit is required to reserve your spot in this class.
  • A personal interview will be conducted.

Get Started Now!

Step 1: Apply here.

Step 2: Submit Your Transcripts. (Proof of a valid high school diploma, GED or college degree from the U.S.)

Step 3: Secure funding.

Step 4: Personal interview. The Program Coordinator will contact you to review your application.

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)
    • July 6, 2026 to July 29, 2026
    • October 6, 2026 to October 29, 2026
      • Tuition: $600*
  • Welding 1: Essential Skills (72 Hours)
    • August 3, 2026 to September 23, 2026
    • November 3, 2026 to January 7, 2027
      • Tuition: $1,225*
  • Welding 2: Advanced SMAW (72 Hours)
    • April 2, 2026 to May 28, 2026
    • September 28, 2026 to November 30, 2026
    • January 12, 2027 to March 3, 2027
      • Tuition: $1,225*
  • Welding 3: GMAW and FCAW (72 Hours)
    • June 2, 2026 to July 28, 2026
    • December 2, 2026 to February 3, 2027
    • March 9, 2027 to May 6, 2027
      • Tuition: $1,225*
  • Welding 4: Precision TIG and GTAW (72 Hours)
    • July 30, 2026 to September 24, 2026
    • February 8, 2027 to April 14, 2027
    • May 11, 2027 to July 15, 2027
      • 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.

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.

Employment Outlook

Skilled welders/fabricators are highly sought after by manufacturers, construction companies and other specialized firms such as sign companies. While many welding jobs are in manufacturing or fabricating facilities, there are also a lot of welders who work on construction sites or in the field as repair technicians. Entry-level welders can expect to earn on average $20 to $22 per hour. Some of the companies our graduates have worked for include Mono-Systems, Hohl Industrial Services, HDM Hydraulics and Parker Hannifin. Erie 1 BOCES also provides services such as placement assistance, resume writing and interview skills to help students in their search for a career as an entry level welder/fabricator.

Contact Us

Tammy Ormsby
Senior Data Processing Clerk
(716) 821-7503
Email Tammy Ormsby

Annamaria Masucci
Coordinator, Trades and Manufacturing
(716) 821-7382
Email Annamaria Masucci

Rashada Jackson
Coordinator, Student Services
(716) 821-7088
Email Rashada Jackson

Meet Our Team