Because of its strength, welding is used to construct and repair parts of ships, automobiles, spacecraft, and thousands of other manufactured products. Welding is used to join beams and steel reinforcing rods, when constructing buildings, bridges, and other structures, and also in utilities such as nuclear power plants. Welders may perform manual welding, in which the work is entirely controlled by the welder, or semi-automatic welding, in which the welder uses machinery, such as a wire feeder, to perform welding tasks. Welders develop those manipulative skills which are necessary to the welding of joints common to all metal industries. They understand and apply the proper theories of welding, cleaning and fabrication to appropriate shop applications.
Welders follow and apply safety practices and procedures as they relate to industrial situations.
They are able to understand and communicate technical information related to the profession. Graduates of the program will be experienced in welding structural steel, aluminum, stainless steel and other metals. They will develop the ability of blueprint reading, sketching, and layout for welding. In construction, wholesale trade, and repair services, employment of welders and cutters will grow more rapidly than for most other occupations. The level of construction is expected to expand, as is the number of metal products needing repair, increasing the need for welding and cutting.