Metals Fabrication & Welding Technology
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About Metals Fabrication & Welding Technology
The Metals Fabrication and Welding Technology program provides students with a working knowledge of the various tools, equipment and modern techniques used in the metals fabrication, mechanical installation and welding industries. The proper application of various layout, fabrication and assembly techniques for specific designs in sheet metal, plate, structural metals and pipe will be stressed. Students will design, estimate, fabricate and install projects relative to air handling systems, structural and miscellaneous fabricated systems. Proper and safe work habits must be developed due to the nature of the equipment necessary to be successful in the industry.
The understanding and mastery of layout techniques is an essential component for success in the Metals Fabrication and Welding fields. Therefore, disciplines in the basic, parallel line, radial line and triangulation methods of layout are covered. Also, instruction in blueprint reading relative to the manufacturing and construction industries will be required. Included are components in drafting, orthographic projection and symbol interpretation. Gas metal arc, shielded metal arc, gas tungsten arc, oxy-acetylene and flux core arc welding will be studied and practiced to allow students to obtain skills for a total understanding of fabricated projects from design through the final assembly processes.
Graduates of the Metals Fabrication and Welding Technology program are prepared to work in businesses and industries that design, build and install products that have been fabricated from sheet, plate and structural metals. Areas of employment include:
- H.V.A.C. Sheetmetal Duct Systems Fabrication and Installation
- Precision Sheetmetal Layout and Fabrication
- Welding
- Industrial Maintenance/Millwright
- Plate Layout/Fitter for Industrial Fabrication
- Mechanical Systems Estimator/Project Manager
- Fabrication Machinery Operator
- Equipment Manufacturing and Installation
- Structural Steel and Miscellaneous Iron Fabrication
- Automated Cutting Systems Operation Programming
- Sales – Industrial Equipment or Contractor
- Shop/Installation Foreman
- Fabrication of sanitary stainless steel products
- Food and Pharmaceutical processing applications
- Industrial Ventilation Fabrication and Installation
What you’ll learn
- Demonstrate the ability to perform technical work related to welding, structural steel fabrication, sheet metal and plate fabrication, applying OSHA and other applicable safety standards to work safely.
- Apply concepts of geometry, trigonometry and physics to develop, layout, fit and weld various fittings, structures and systems associated with industrial and commercial metals fabrication.
- Identify and demonstrate correct use of various hand and power tools used in the fabrication industry.
- Demonstrate the ability to develop and interpret blueprints using accepted practices of orthographic projection.
- Determine set-up effectiveness of shop equipment and develop methods of manufacturing various products.
- Keep accurate records of project work, time expended, materials used and costs incurred associated with a given job.
- Demonstrate a comprehension of business practices related to the metals fabrication industry.
- Estimate the costs associated with the design, fabrication and installation of various structural, sheet metal or maintenance projects.
- Demonstrate basic oral communication skills, speak logically and use various types of oral and written communication techniques to promote good business relationships, to develop leadership, and to establish good employer, customer and employee relationships.
- Demonstrate competency in the simple, parallel line, radial line and triangulation methods of layout to develop elbows, transitions, and tees in both round and rectangular forms.
- Understand industry standards of quality.
- Demonstrate the ability to choose the proper materials, fabrication and welding procedures for given projects.
- Be prepared to accept the challenges and responsibilities of the metals fabrication industry, knowing the full range of employment and advancement possibilities.
Sample Job Titles
Fabricate, assemble, install, and repair sheet metal products and equipment, such as ducts, control boxes, drainpipes, and furnace casings. Work may involve any of the following: setting up and operating fabricating machines to cut, bend, and straighten sheet metal; shaping metal over anvils, blocks, or forms using hammer; operating soldering and welding equipment to join sheet metal parts; or inspecting, assembling, and smoothing seams and joints of burred surfaces. Includes sheet metal duct installers who install prefabricated sheet metal ducts used for heating, air conditioning, or other purposes.
Career Opportunities
Graduates of the Metals Fabrication and Welding Technology program are prepared to work in businesses and industries that design, build, and install products that have been fabricated from sheet, plate, and structural metals. Areas of employment include:
- H.V.A.C. Sheetmetal Duct Systems Fabrication and Installation
- Precision Sheetmetal Layout and Fabrication
- Welding
- Industrial Maintenance/Millwright
- Plate Layout/Fitter for Industrial Fabrication
- Mechanical Systems Estimator/Project Manager
- Fabrication Machinery Operator
- Equipment Manufacturing and Installation
- Structural Steel and Miscellaneous Iron Fabrication
- Automated Cutting Systems Operation Programming
- Sales – Industrial Equipment or Contractor
- Shop/Installation Foreman
- Fabrication of sanitary stainless steel products
- Food and Pharmaceutical processing applications
- Industrial Ventilation Fabrication and Installation
Essential Skills Needed
This program requires a variety of foundational skills for students to thrive. Click the button below to view the full list of essential skills you’ll need before enrolling.
Quick facts
Location
Greiner Advanced Manufacturing Center, North Building
Type of program
Associate Degree
Job/Salary Outlook
See industry data
Length of program
2 years, 73 credits
Cost of program
$4,500/semester tuition
$3,105 – $3,623/semester housing
$1,915 – $2,417/semester meal plan
Tool List (PDF)
Program details
Courses
MODEL SCHEDULE FOR METALS FABRICATION & WELDING TECHNOLOGY
Semester 1
- MFWT 106 Gas Metal Arc Welding/Plasma Arc Cutting (3 credits)
- MFWT 111 Metals Fab I – Intro to Hand & Machine Processes (3 credits)
- MFWT 121 HVAC Duct Design and Fabrication (3 credits)
- MFWT 126 Drafting Fundamentals (3 credits)
- MATH 137 Intermediate Algebra (3 credits) (or higher)
- CIS 105 Drawing with AutoCAD (3 credits)
Semester 2
- MFWT 154 Flux Corded Arc Welding/Oxy-Acetylene Cutting and Welding (4 credits)
- MFWT 162 Metals Fabrication II – Parallel Line
- Development Machine Processes (4 credits)
- MFWT 167 Metals Fabrication II – Parallel Line
- Development Machine Processes (2 credits)
- MFWT 171 Materials of the Trade/Applied Metallurgy (2 credits)
- MATH 132 Elementary Geometry (3 credits) (or higher)
- CIS 111 Intro to Computer Applications (3 credits)
Semester 3
- MFWT 207 Shielded Metal Arc Welding (4 credits)
- MFWT 212 Metals Fabrication III – Triangulation
- Pattern Machine Processes (4 credits)
- MFWT 222 CNC Applications and Estimating (4 credits)
- Physics Elective 101, 106, 113, or 213 (3 credits)
- ENG 106 Composition (3 credits)
Semester 4
- MFWT 257 Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (4 credits)
- MFWT 262 Metals Fabrication IV Radial Design Development & Machine Processes (4 credits)
- MFWT 267 Industrial Apps III – Print Reading for Welding (4 credits)
- ENG 216 Technical Writing (3 credits)
- ELECTIVE Humanities Elective (3 credits)
Additional General Education Requirements
- Health Elective 106 or 111 (1 credit)
Total Credits 73
Faculty
Joseph Battle
Instructor, Metals Fabrication and Welding Technology Second-Year Students, ’19 battle@stevenscollege.edu
James Stewart
Associate Professor, Metals Fabrication and Welding Technology, Second-Year Students stewart@stevenscollege.eduOccupational Advisory Committee
The Occupational Advisory Committee (OAC) serves as a vital link between the Program of study and industry, ensuring that the program remains aligned with current workforce needs, technological advancements, and best practices in the field. Composed of employers, educators, and other community members, the committee provides guidance, feedback, and recommendations to enhance the curriculum, instructional methods, and student learning experiences.
Purpose and Responsibilities:
- Curriculum & Industry Alignment
- Workforce Readiness
- Student & Faculty Support
- Internship & Employment Connections
- Accreditation & Program Evaluation
- Facilities & Equipment Recommendations
By fostering a strong relationship between academia and industry, the OAC helps ensure that Thaddeus Stevens College programs maintain the highest standards in CTE (career and technical education).
- Scott Dolor, M. Davis & Sons
- Greg Esh, Goodhart Sons Inc
- Daniel Feeser, Johnson Controls Navy Systems
- John Forwood, SWF Industrial
- Joyce Hostetler, Greiner Industries Inc
- Cameron Leakey, Goodhart Sons Inc
- Melissa Martin, Viocity Group
- Perry Patton, Walton & Company
- John Peiffer, High Industries
- Sasa Randjelovic, JGM Fabricators & Constructors, LLC
- Daniel Rice, PBZ Manufacturing
- Joseph Ruble, Miller/ITW
- Rick Sine, Greiner Industries
- Dave Watson, The Lincoln Electric Company
- Sasha Wawrzyniak, Viocity Group
- Gregory Weitzel, High Steel Structures LLC
- Eddie Woodard, ITW/Miller Electric
The outcomes speak for themselves
Gas metal arc, shielded metal arc, gas tungsten arc, oxy-acetylene and flux core arc welding will be studied and practiced to allow students to obtain skills for a total understanding of fabricated projects from design through the final assembly processes.
100%
employment
$52.5K
median first-year salary
People of TSCT
Success stories
Performance Measures
Internal Key Performance Indicators (Sources: Internal data collections, and Post-Graduate Surveys)
Retention Rate
This rate reflects the continuous term-to-term persistence rate for certificate programs and the fall-to-fall retention rate for associate degree programs.
Graduation Rate
This rate reflects the number of freshmen who were officially enrolled in the fall semester and earned a certificate or degree within the expected timeframe.
Post Graduate Survey Response Rate
The post graduate survey is an annual on-line post graduate survey utilized by the college to gather vital information regarding career placement, starting salary, and level of satisfaction.
Employed Full Time Outside of Major
Percentage of graduates who reported being employed full-time outside their field of study.
Graduate Satisfaction
This is the median graduate survey response evaluating the level of preparation for workforce entry (based on a 5-Item Likert Scale).
Placement Rate
This is the percent of graduate survey respondents who reported being employed or continued their education on a full-time basis.
Employed Full Time Within Major
Percentage of graduates who reported being employed full-time within their field of study.
Annual Median Starting Salary
This number is based on the graduate survey response to the request to identify a starting salary from a range of options. This graph shows the median first-year annual salary. All calculations are based on the respondent’s self-reported first-year annual income.
Reported Hourly Rate
This number is determined by dividing the reported median salary by the number of hours in a traditional full-time work week (40), then the number of weeks in a year (52).
Our graduates work with the industry’s best
Soar Agreements
This program enables students to apply certain credits earned in high school to the credits needed for a degree or certificate through Thaddeus Stevens College. The Metals Fabrication & Welding Technology degree qualifies for this program – see our SOAR program page for details!