What is Welding Technology?
HCC's welding program allows you to work with the most current tools and machines to let you take your education further. You weld various kinds of metals, such as mild steel, aluminum, cast iron, and stainless steel. You ll also learn:
- Electric arc welding.
- Oxyacetylene gas welding and cutting.
- Metal inert gas welding (MIG).
- Tungsten inert gas welding (TIG).
- Blueprint reading.
- Metal welding using mild steel, aluminum, cast iron, and stainless steel.
- Operation of saws, drill presses, grinders, power shears, metal brakes and rolls, and numerous other hand tools.
What are my career choices?
A majority of welders work in manufacturing industries. Others are employed by construction firms and businesses performing various repair services. A skilled welder may qualify as a technician, supervisor, inspector, or as an owner of a welding business. Certified welders are among the highest paid of all the skilled trades.

Check out some of our IMT and FAME grads as they apply their manufacturing education working in local industry in this video from Henderson Economic Development!
What are my degree, diploma, or certificate options?
Program Options/Academic Plans
Application for Certificate, Diploma, or Degree (.doc)
- Arc Welder
- AWS National Skills Standard Level I
- Gas Metal Arc Welder
- Gas Tungsten Arc Welder
- Pipeline Welder
- Production Line Welder
- Shielded Metal Arc Welder
- Tack Welder
- Welder's Helper
- Arc Cutter
Additional Information
Length of Program
You can earn an associate in applied science degree in two years if you maintain full-time status.
This information should not be considered a substitute for the KCTCS Catalog. You should always choose classes in cooperation with your faculty advisor to ensure that you meet all degree requirements.
How many hours are classroom/online sessions?
AWS National Skills Standards Level I: 33-34 of the *required 33-34 credit hours are classroom/lab instruction.
Tack Welder: 10 of the *required 10 credit hours are classroom/lab instruction.
Production Line Welder: 19-20 of the *required 19-20 credit hours are classroom/lab instruction.
Arc Welder: 24-25 of the *required 24-25 credit hours are classroom/lab instruction.
Shielded Metal Arc Welding: 17-18 of the *required 17-18 credit hours are classroom/lab instruction.
Gas Metal Arc Welding: 17-18 of the *required 17-18 credit hours are classroom/lab instruction.
Gas Tungsten Arc Welding: 17-18 of the *required 17-18 credit hours are classroom/lab instruction.
*does not include <100 level credit hour courses