Applied Welding Technology
A Hands-On Applied Welding School
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Get hands-on training in a wide variety of welding techniques!
The welding industry is in dire need of welders, and there’s no sign of it slowing down. This is where our Applied Welding Technology program comes in. From structural welding to pipelines, you will learn how to fabricate and weld on various metals in multiple welding positions.
Welding is a huge profession that is essential to the function of the modern world. Almost anything with metal, both ferrous and non-ferrous, has the potential to be manufactured with some sort of welding technique. Structures and equipment such as aircraft, ships, buildings, vehicles, bridges, skyscrapers, manufacturing plants, submarines, and pipelines, to name a few, all require some sort of welding process.
With 70% of your time being spent in the shop doing real work, this program is built to have you in and out the door within 6 months. Learn from industry professionals and graduate with hands-on skills that you can take almost anywhere in the world.
70% of your time will be spent working in the shop!
What makes WyoTech different?
Here at WyoTech, it’s in our DNA to give our students the best training possible. Our Applied Welding Technology program is built so that students get hands-on experience, not just learning the different kinds of welding but also learning how to use them.
WyoTech’s curriculum is built by some of the top professionals in the industry and customized to train you in project-based welding- giving you the opportunity to gain the welding and fabrication skills to enter nearly any area of the welding industry. Our welding program is designed to give you the experience you need to pursue a career in anything from shipyards to fabrication, heavy equipment to pipelines, or any of the countless opportunities in the welding industry.
Our training follows the standards of some of the best associations in the welding industry- The American Welding Society (AWS), the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME), and the American Petroleum Institute (API). WyoTech’s welding testing procedures and qualifications are built around the standards of these institutions, giving you the skills you need to succeed in the industry. In addition, our program is built on project-based learning. Our students will not only learn the fundamentals of welding, cutting, metallurgy, fabrication and blueprint reading, but also will put these skills to use by building different training projects throughout the 6-month program.
Our Applied Welding Technology program also follows the schedule of the trades. With both a day welding class and a separate night welding class running through the evening hours, this class offers the chance to prepare yourself for the shiftwork that the trade industry often requires.
Welding Basics, Wire Feed Welding, Oxyfuel Cutting, & Shielded Metal Arc Welding
In this phase, you will learn the value of the welding industry and how to get started. These first six weeks will give you an introduction to a variety of different welding techniques. We will teach you the common welds, shop practices, personal protective equipment (PPE), and welding safety used in the industry. You will cover design and set-up, then learn the proper techniques to produce fillet and groove welds in the flat, horizontal, vertical, and overhead positions. We will also teach you the different types of welds, weld joints, basic metallurgy, fixturing, and inspection methods. Students will learn an introduction to the economical side of welding, including proper weld sizes, cost saving procedures, and other shop applications to maximize production value. With wire feed welding, you will learn the difference between self-shielded and gas-shielded welding wire, as well as the difference between various types of steel, stainless steel, and aluminum welding. Introduction to the basics of Shielded Metal Arc Welding will be taught, showing students the difference between it and wire feed processes.
- Theory, PPE, & welding safety
- Introduction to oxyfuel cutting
- Blueprint reading, weld symbols, metallurgy
- Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW)- MIG
- Flux Core Arc Welding (FCAW)
- Introduction to Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW)
Advanced Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW) & Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (GTAW)
In Phase II, you will continue building on your skills by advancing in Shielded Metal Arc Welding. Students will complete out-of-position welds and work towards passing industry qualification standards. An introduction to Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (GTAW) occurs next, starting on mild steel, in the flat position, then working towards producing quality out-of-position welds. You will cover the use of environmental atmosphere controls, advanced heat controls, various consumables, and much more. Students will also advance their skills in the oxyfuel cutting process and the plasma cutting process.
- Oxyfuel cutting
- Plasma cutting
- Advanced Shielded Metal Arc Welding
- Introduction to Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (GTAW)- TIG
- Concepts of structural welding, welding codes
Advanced Gas Tungsten Arc Welding & Pipe Welding
This phase will challenge and advance your skills in GTAW welding methods. Students will learn to TIG weld stainless steel and aluminum in the various weld positions. We will teach you the secrets of how to pipe weld with skills that meet industry standards and use techniques to weld confidently in various pipe welding positions. You will learn the processes of welding pipe, gap sizes, structural requirements, and the internal reinforcement of a good pipe weld. We will cover the different functions and specific uses of manual welding equipment, prepping and fitting pipe coupons, and welding certification requirements.
- Advanced Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (GTAW)- TIG
- Pipe welding codes based on industry standards
- Pipe welding processes and welding positions
- Industry job opportunities
Advanced Pipe, Metal Fabrication, & Economics
Phase IV is where you are challenged the most by completing advanced welding on pipe, working to make quality welds that meet the rigors of pipe welding standards and qualifications. Then you will put your welding and fabrications skills to use on a final individual or group project. You will be guided through the custom fabrication process while building a capstone project. You will gain a thorough understanding of the skills and equipment necessary to perform in the industry with excellence and learn to build a project using blueprints and drawings, measuring devices and instruments, and metal fabricating tools. Top off your skills in this program by learning the basic economics of the industry as well, such as how to calculate operating costs, productivity, and efficiency.
- Advanced pipe welding
- Measurements, jigs, and fixtures
- Production welding
- Calculations and process improvement
- Capstone project / workforce preparation
“WyoTech prides itself in not offering cookie-cutter curriculum. The welding program is no different. WyoTech hand-picked the world’s top welding talent to support the development of our curriculum.”
– Shawn Nunley, Vice President of Training at WyoTech
Program Start Dates
December 29, 2025
March 30, 2026
June 30, 2026
September 28, 2026
January 4, 2027
Welding Tech FAQs
What is the tuition for the Welding program?
Tuition cost is $27,500.00 for the 6 month welding program. Student housing is an additional cost.
Will equipment be provided?
Yes, all welding tools, equipment and PPE are provided to students, except for boots. Professional, leather-style work boots are required to be worn during the class, but are not provided by WyoTech and must be provided by the student.
What job opportunities are available if I take this program?
Graduating from WyoTech opens opportunities in many industries, including automotive, manufacturing, construction, and energy. Common jobs include welder/fabricator, structural welder, pipe welder, production welder, and maintenance welder. With experience, careers can grow into specialized roles like aerospace or underwater welding, or into inspection, supervision, and even teaching.
How long does it take to become a welder?
With the proper skillset, a student can become a qualified entry level welder in our 6 month Applied Welding Technology program.
What projects will we be building?
Designated, individual student projects that will be built in the student’s welding booth may include a Rocket Stove, Tabletop BBQ Grill, a Gaming Console, etc. The Capstone Projects of the final 4 weeks may include a utility trailer, custom bumpers, goose blind, headache rack, a pickup welding bed, a tool storage cabinet or box, or other similar projects.
How much classroom time is there?
Students spend about 70% of their time in the shop and 30% in the classroom. Instruction and theory are taught directly in the hands-on environment. Because of this blended approach, the majority of the student experience is still spent actively learning in the shop.
Is there any virtual training?
There is no virtual training for this course, training is provided through our on-campus instructors either in the classroom or in the shop.
Can I work on my own projects?
Potentially, after students finish their class competencies and projects, there may be opportunities for them to work on a personal project, with welding instructor oversight and permission.
Are the WyoTech qualifications from this program different than the standard AWS certifications?
The qualifications that our welding students get upon completion of our Applied Welding Technology program are different but very similar to the standard AWS certifications. While WyoTech operates independently of the AWS, our curriculum is strictly aligned with their industry-leading standards. We train our students to meet or exceed the same technical requirements found in AWS certification skill assessments, ensuring they are prepared for any professional weld test.
Why doesn’t WyoTech offer AWS certifications?
At WyoTech, we prioritize industry-standard performance over paper certifications. While an AWS certificate can earn you an interview, a weld test earns you the job. Our Applied Welding Technology program is built on the reality of the trade: employers hire based on a physical demonstration of skill. We train our students to meet the exact standards required by AWS, ensuring that when you step into a job site, your hands—not just your resume—prove your credibility.
What if I want to acquire an AWS certification?
If you as a WyoTech student want to acquire an AWS certification, the instructors and staff in the Applied Welding Technology program will help you to do so. The school will not cover the cost of the certification, and that responsibility is on the student.