VVC's program prepares students to enter welding-related occupations, offers retraining for those seeking a new career, and provides an opportunity for those employed in welding occupations to learn new skills and upgrade themselves in their positions. The department is a member of the American Welding Society’s Educational Institution Program for entry level welders and is entitled to all the privileges. This entry level welder program is part of the National Skills Standards Program, which is being enacted across a wide range of industries in the United States.
The program prepares students to pass the welding performance test necessary to acquire a welding license from the Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety. The program offers a certificate of achievement in welding, and an associate degree may be obtained upon completion of 20 units of welding course work in addition to general education.
FACULTY
TROY KUHNS, DEPARTMENT CHAIR
Department Location: Bldg 64 AU 6S
Department Phone: 760-245-4271 Ext 2294
Department Email: troy.kuhns@vvc.edu
Alexander Strickland- Senior Instructional Assistant
Edmund Sawn-Adjunct Instructor
Casey Penfold-Adjunct Instructor
Gary Menser-Professor Emeritus
To earn this degree, complete the major coursework with “C” grades or better and all of the following graduation requirements: 60 minimum degree-applicable units (including a maximum 4 units of activity); 2.0 minimum overall GPA; 12 degree-applicable units through VVC; Information Competency; Global Citizenship; Kinesiology, and the VVC General Education pattern. Courses may count in one area only, either in the major or in a general education category. Courses counted in one AA/AS major may not be used in another AA/AS major.
Welding Certificate of Achievement
The Welding Technology courses included in the certificate program will give the students the skills necessary to become an entry-level combination welder.
Program Learning Outcomes
Program Learning Outcomes (PLOs) are statements of the kind of learning a program hopes a student will achieve. The PLOs describe the knowledge, skills, problem-solving, communication and values that apply to all certificates and/or degrees within that program.
Upon completion of this program, students should be able to:
1. Demonstrate acceptable safety practices daily in order to prevent injuries of any type.
2. Practice and perform welder qualification testing at the appropriate level for the course.
3. Interpret drawings and welding symbols in order to weld the correct weld type and size per the detailed joint design.
4. Practice and demonstrate welding and cutting job practices in multiple processes appropriate for being a combination welder.
CAREER OPPORTUNITIES
Boilermakers, Iron Workers, Maintenance Worker, Millwrights, Sheet Metal Workers, Welder, Welder-Fitter, Welding Estimator, Welding Inspector, Welding Instructor, Welding Operator, Welding Sales Representative, Welding Service Representative, Welding Supervisor, Welding Technician