General Welding Certificate

Learn the essentials

Your first step into the world of welding: learn metals, basic techniques and shop safety. Gain the skills that let experienced welders turn metal into tools, vehicles, art—and some fabrications that are all three.

This 9-credit (one semester) certificate is 1 of 7 credentials you can earn in welding at CLC. They all start with the same basic welding and safety skills (this certificate!). Each specialized certificate is designed around common occupations. Add them together for advanced skills or an associate degree.

What can you do with a General Welding Certificate?

After going to school, you may start off as a welder's helper who preps materials and assists with welding equipment set up. As you become more experienced, you gain more responsibilities.

Choose from one of our 7 credentials in welding—we designed them to work together for you, so you can stack them into more advanced certificates or your associate degree. Start where you want, add skills to meet a different job need and if you want, keep going.
The foundation is 1 semester that covers basic skills and safety. That semester counts as the General Welding Certificate (9 credits, 1 semester). From that foundation, you can learn additional skills, in different combinations (the first 9 credits of each certificate are the same across all programs):
- Welding Fabrication (19 credits)—add 9 credits of metalworking and metallurgy to the common base
- Gas Metal Arc Welding (23 credits)—add 12 credits of gas welding and brazing to the common base
- Shielded Metal Arc Welding (23 credits)—add 3 credits of shielded metal arc welding (aka “stick welding”) to the Gas Metal Arc Welding Certificate
- Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (23 credits)—add 12 credits of gas tungsten welding and brazing to the common base
- Welding (45 credits)—All the welding and fabrication courses from all the certificates, plus a math class and a certification class.
- Associate in Applied Science (61 credits)—Everything in the Welding Certificate, plus a couple specialized welding courses and a handful of classes in business, communications, fine art or science.
CLC has the largest welding and fabrication laboratory in Illinois located at the Advanced Technology Center (ATC). At 28,000 square feet, we are a true snapshot of what you will find in real-world facilities. The ATC features an extensive variety of arc welding equipment, laser welders and orbital welders. Other equipment include:
- 4 welding robots for tungsten inert gas (TIG) and metal inert gas (MIG) welding
- laser and plasma CNC cutters
- CNC press brakes
- lathes, mills, drill presses, iron workers and various saws
CLC students won first through third place trophies in speed cutting and multiple categories of welding during the American Welding Society's "Behind the Mask" welding competition.

Recent graduate of CLC, Ethan Klisch, used his Welding and Fabrication A.A.S. degree to fabricate a design that matched a client's needs. Using SolidWorks and a CNC plasma cutter, Klisch designed, shaped and welded the components for the National Loon Center's outdoor exhibits. Maybe they'll come back as a client for his future business!

See what students love about the welding and fabrication technology program at CLC. Picture yourself here:

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Highlights

Metallica Scholarships

Heavy metal scholarships available.
Advanced Technology Center (ATC)

State-of-the-art facilities to build career-ready skills
Stackable Credentials

Earn and learn as you go with stackable credentials.
Credit for Prior Learning

Receive college credit for what you already know.
Career Certificate

Earn a career certificate in 1 year or less to refine your skills into an in-demand career.
Program Length: 4 Months

Full-time students finish in 4 months.

Career Outlook

Directly supervise and coordinate activities of construction or extraction workers.
- Salary Levels
  
  Take a look at the average annual or hourly earnings for this career in Lake and Cook Counties.
  
  Entry-Level
  
  $54,668
  
  Median
  
  $97,786
  
  Senior-Level
  
  $135,442
  
  Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
  
  Entry-Level
  
  $26.28
  
  Median
  
  $47.00
  
  Senior-Level
  
  $65.11
  
  Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
- Top entry-level education
  
  Here’s a quick look at the most common degree levels people have in this career.
  
  High school diploma or less
  
  42.74%
  
  Certificate
  
  27.04%
  
  Some college
  
  7.84%
  
  Associate Degree
  
  11.88%
  
  Bachelor's Degree
  
  10.49%
  
  Lightcast educational attainment levels are the educational attainment percentage breakdown for a career (e.g. the percentage of people in the career who hold a bachelor degree vs. an associate degree).
Perform work involving the skills of two or more maintenance or craft occupations to keep machines, mechanical equipment, or the structure of a building in repair. Duties may involve pipe fitting; HVAC maintenance; insulating; welding; machining; carpentry; repairing electrical or mechanical equipment; installing, aligning, and balancing new equipment; and repairing buildings, floors, or stairs.
- Salary Levels
  
  Take a look at the average annual or hourly earnings for this career in Lake and Cook Counties.
  
  Entry-Level
  
  $35,618
  
  Median
  
  $53,313
  
  Senior-Level
  
  $84,347
  
  Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
  
  Entry-Level
  
  $17.12
  
  Median
  
  $25.63
  
  Senior-Level
  
  $40.55
  
  Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
- Top entry-level education
  
  Here’s a quick look at the most common degree levels people have in this career.
  
  High school diploma or less
  
  26.02%
  
  Certificate
  
  62.97%
  
  Some college
  
  6.62%
  
  Associate Degree
  
  2.85%
  
  Bachelor's Degree
  
  0.35%
  
  Master's Degree
  
  1.17%
  
  Lightcast educational attainment levels are the educational attainment percentage breakdown for a career (e.g. the percentage of people in the career who hold a bachelor degree vs. an associate degree).
Assemble, install, alter, and repair pipelines or pipe systems that carry water, steam, air, or other liquids or gases. May install heating and cooling equipment and mechanical control systems. Includes sprinkler fitters.
- Salary Levels
  
  Take a look at the average annual or hourly earnings for this career in Lake and Cook Counties.
  
  Entry-Level
  
  $44,653
  
  Median
  
  $90,825
  
  Senior-Level
  
  $119,997
  
  Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
  
  Entry-Level
  
  $21.46
  
  Median
  
  $43.66
  
  Senior-Level
  
  $57.69
  
  Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
- Top entry-level education
  
  Here’s a quick look at the most common degree levels people have in this career.
  
  High school diploma or less
  
  42.78%
  
  Certificate
  
  43.26%
  
  Some college
  
  4.63%
  
  Associate Degree
  
  9.34%
  
  Lightcast educational attainment levels are the educational attainment percentage breakdown for a career (e.g. the percentage of people in the career who hold a bachelor degree vs. an associate degree).
Position and secure steel bars or mesh in concrete forms in order to reinforce concrete. Use a variety of fasteners, rod-bending machines, blowtorches, and hand tools. Includes rod busters.
- Salary Levels
  
  Take a look at the average annual or hourly earnings for this career in Lake and Cook Counties.
  
  Entry-Level
  
  $40,579
  
  Median
  
  $78,530
  
  Senior-Level
  
  $122,965
  
  Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
  
  Entry-Level
  
  $19.50
  
  Median
  
  $37.75
  
  Senior-Level
  
  $59.11
  
  Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
- Top entry-level education
  
  Here’s a quick look at the most common degree levels people have in this career.
  
  High school diploma or less
  
  70.42%
  
  Certificate
  
  29.58%
  
  Lightcast educational attainment levels are the educational attainment percentage breakdown for a career (e.g. the percentage of people in the career who hold a bachelor degree vs. an associate degree).
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.
- Salary Levels
  
  Take a look at the average annual or hourly earnings for this career in Lake and Cook Counties.
  
  Entry-Level
  
  $37,629
  
  Median
  
  $87,404
  
  Senior-Level
  
  $118,679
  
  Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
  
  Entry-Level
  
  $18.09
  
  Median
  
  $42.02
  
  Senior-Level
  
  $57.05
  
  Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
- Top entry-level education
  
  Here’s a quick look at the most common degree levels people have in this career.
  
  High school diploma or less
  
  56.2%
  
  Certificate
  
  43.81%
  
  Lightcast educational attainment levels are the educational attainment percentage breakdown for a career (e.g. the percentage of people in the career who hold a bachelor degree vs. an associate degree).
Raise, place, and unite iron or steel girders, columns, and other structural members to form completed structures or structural frameworks. May erect metal storage tanks and assemble prefabricated metal buildings.
- Salary Levels
  
  Take a look at the average annual or hourly earnings for this career in Lake and Cook Counties.
  
  Entry-Level
  
  $63,753
  
  Median
  
  $101,043
  
  Senior-Level
  
  $127,044
  
  Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
  
  Entry-Level
  
  $30.64
  
  Median
  
  $48.58
  
  Senior-Level
  
  $61.07
  
  Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
- Top entry-level education
  
  Here’s a quick look at the most common degree levels people have in this career.
  
  High school diploma or less
  
  75.77%
  
  Certificate
  
  19.21%
  
  Bachelor's Degree
  
  5.03%
  
  Lightcast educational attainment levels are the educational attainment percentage breakdown for a career (e.g. the percentage of people in the career who hold a bachelor degree vs. an associate degree).
Use hand-welding, flame-cutting, hand-soldering, or brazing equipment to weld or join metal components or to fill holes, indentations, or seams of fabricated metal products.
- Salary Levels
  
  Take a look at the average annual or hourly earnings for this career in Lake and Cook Counties.
  
  Entry-Level
  
  $35,202
  
  Median
  
  $48,420
  
  Senior-Level
  
  $70,410
  
  Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
  
  Entry-Level
  
  $16.92
  
  Median
  
  $23.27
  
  Senior-Level
  
  $33.85
  
  Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
- Top entry-level education
  
  Here’s a quick look at the most common degree levels people have in this career.
  
  High school diploma or less
  
  74.38%
  
  Certificate
  
  11.64%
  
  Some college
  
  11.28%
  
  Associate Degree
  
  1.75%
  
  Bachelor's Degree
  
  0.94%
  
  Lightcast educational attainment levels are the educational attainment percentage breakdown for a career (e.g. the percentage of people in the career who hold a bachelor degree vs. an associate degree).

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Recommended Pathway

This pathway serves as a guide for students to complete the degree or certificate assuming full-time enrollment (registered in 12 or more credit hours per semester) with Semester 1 typically representing a Fall term. Students are strongly encouraged to meet with their College and Career Navigator (CCN) to identify coursework that will meet degree requirements based on individual academic goals. For a more inclusive list of course options, see the college catalog.

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Credit for prior learning available
Dual credit options available
Global citizenship
Online/Virtual options available

Course Code	Course Title	Credits
WFT 113	WFT 113 Welding Blueprint Reading Class Description This course will cover the study and development of blueprint reading skills as they apply to the metals/welding fabrication trades. Skill and proficiency in understanding the make-up and interpretation of prints will include the study of associated materials, processing, dimensioning, weld joint designs and symbols, as well as fundamental drawing abilities. NOTE: Student must furnish basic required equipment.	3
WFT 170	WFT 170 General Welding Class Description This course is designed to introduce students to common welding processes and the associated industry. A general and basic knowledge of common arc welding processes, safety and operation are studied and practiced. In addition to welding fundamentals; measuring, materials and plasma cutting as they pertain to industry are also studied and practiced. Primary and essential skills regarding safe and proper operation will be developed and practiced. Development of welding skill and technique is secondary to understanding safety and knowledge of welding processes and associated equipment. Note: Student must furnish basic required PPE.	3
WFT 270	WFT 270 General Welding II Class Description This course is a continuation of WFT170. Additional welding theory in GMAW, SMAW, GTAW are studied and practiced. FCAW is introduced, studied and practiced. Additional thermal cutting processes including oxy-fuel and carbon-arc are also introduced, studied and practiced. Lab times are dedicated to developing techniques used on low carbon steel alloys in the flat position. Both qualitative and quantitative testing and inspection is introduced and practiced following AWS code and standards. Note: Student must furnish basic required PPE.	3

Course Highlights
Course Code	WFT 113
Course Title	WFT 113 Welding Blueprint Reading Class Description This course will cover the study and development of blueprint reading skills as they apply to the metals/welding fabrication trades. Skill and proficiency in understanding the make-up and interpretation of prints will include the study of associated materials, processing, dimensioning, weld joint designs and symbols, as well as fundamental drawing abilities. NOTE: Student must furnish basic required equipment.
Credits	3

Course Highlights
Course Code	WFT 170
Course Title	WFT 170 General Welding Class Description This course is designed to introduce students to common welding processes and the associated industry. A general and basic knowledge of common arc welding processes, safety and operation are studied and practiced. In addition to welding fundamentals; measuring, materials and plasma cutting as they pertain to industry are also studied and practiced. Primary and essential skills regarding safe and proper operation will be developed and practiced. Development of welding skill and technique is secondary to understanding safety and knowledge of welding processes and associated equipment. Note: Student must furnish basic required PPE.
Credits	3

Course Highlights
Course Code	WFT 270
Course Title	WFT 270 General Welding II Class Description This course is a continuation of WFT170. Additional welding theory in GMAW, SMAW, GTAW are studied and practiced. FCAW is introduced, studied and practiced. Additional thermal cutting processes including oxy-fuel and carbon-arc are also introduced, studied and practiced. Lab times are dedicated to developing techniques used on low carbon steel alloys in the flat position. Both qualitative and quantitative testing and inspection is introduced and practiced following AWS code and standards. Note: Student must furnish basic required PPE.
Credits	3

Total Credit Hours

9

*Cost is estimated based on recommended pathway credit hours. This includes in-district tuition and other fees, such as books and materials before financial aid is applied, as well as grants, loans or scholarships. There are many opportunities for financial assistance at CLC. Learn more about Cost of Attendance.

Welding and Fabrication Technology at CLC: Get the bigger picture

A General Welding Certificate is just one possible way to study Welding and Fabrication Technology. Get the bigger picture—degrees, credentials and extra options.

View the Welding and Fabrication Technology program overview

Frequently asked questions

Some of the skills you need to be successful in this program are:
- ability to work with your hands
- work both independently and as a team player
- ability to prioritize
- organizational skills
- attention to detail
- self-motivated
- critical thinking and problem-solving skills
- comfortable using technology and hand tools
- ability to write clearly
By earning a General Welding Certificate, you will also earn the AWS-SENSE Level 1 certificate. The certificate courses stack into a degree program.
With a General Welding Certificate, you gain the following skills. General knowledge:
- basic math: adding and subtracting fractions and decimals, geometry
- material knowledge: types of materials, material properties, material recognition, metal limits
- measure using the metric system
- basic metallurgy
- safety requirements
- blueprint reading
- read a tape measure
- weld terminology and symbols
- industry codes
- finishes
- basic layout
- tolerances
- machine knowledge
- safety certifications
- gain welding certifications
Safety regulations and requirements:
- inspect personal protective equipment
- wear personal protective equipment
- maintain safe work area
- provide for work area ventilation
- identify a confined space
- apply confined space safety practices
- follow Hot Work safety requirements
- monitor environment for safety hazards
- participate in safety briefing
- inspect equipment for safety hazards
Prepare welding materials:
- interpret prints, drawings, sketches and welding procedure specifications (WPS)
- gather welding materials
- select welding equipment
- certify welding equipment per job specifications
- perform minor repairs on welding equipment and accessories
- measure welding parts and materials
- drill or bore holes in parts and materials
- shear metal parts and materials
- bend or form metal parts and materials
- cut, bevel, deburr or pierce metal parts and materials
- de-scale welding materials
- fit up parts or assemblies
- confirm materials according to the welding procedure specifications
- set up jigs and fixtures
Perform cutting, brazing and gouging:
- prepare job layout
- cut and bend with oxy-fuel equipment
- cut metal with arc-air equipment
- cut metal with plasma arc welding equipment
- cut metal using hand tools
- cut metal using power tools
- select material preparation method
- clean thermal affected area (remove slag)
Perform oxy-fuel cutting, brazing and welding:
- prepare job layout for oxy-fuel process
- setup oxy-fuel equipment
- confirm filler material and oxy-fuel
- verify flux for brazing
- check annealing requirements for brazing
- weld using oxy-fuel process (all positions) on common carbon steel, low alloy steel, sheet metal
- cut using oxy-fuel process (all positions) on common carbon steel, low alloy steel, sheet metal
- braze using oxy-fuel process in flat, inclined, or horizontal position on common carbon steel, low alloy steel, sheet metal
- clean oxy-fuel welds, cuts and brazes
- measure oxy-fuel welds, cuts and brazes for conformance to acceptance criteria
- perform required finish operations
- store oxy-fuel welding materials
Perform sub-arc welding:
- prepare job layout for sub-arc welding
- setup sub-arc equipment
- confirm filler material and flux
- preheat base metal to required temperature
- weld using sub-arc process on common carbon steel, low alloy steel, sheet metal
- clean sub-arc welds (remove slag)
- measure sub-arc welds for conformance to acceptance criteria
- perform finishing operations
- store sub-arc welding material
Employers who offer these types of jobs in Lake County include:
- AbbVie Inc.
- Geremarie Corporation
- JST
- Larsen Manufacturing LLC
- Ludlow Manufacturing;
- S & C Electric Company
- Sargent & Lundy
- Wabtec Corporation
- MacLean-Fogg Company
- Waukegan Steel
- William M. Meyer & Sons
The estimated cost of this program appears at the top of this web page, under the program title.
The cost is based on recommended pathway credit hours. It includes in-district tuition and fees, such as for books and materials. It does not factor in financial aid (grants, loans, scholarships) that you may receive.
View current tuition and fees
Some courses in this program are subject to variable tuition and course fees because they provide specialized experiences, instruction or technology/equipment.
View courses with variable tuition and fees
Many opportunities exist at CLC to get financial assistance. Learn more about Cost of Attendance.

Kyle Thorne
Graduate
"While I love the space and equipment, it was the instructors that kept me at CLC. They helped make sure I learned the right way, and I had fun doing it."
Kyle took welding and fabrication classes at the CLC Grayslake campus and Advanced Technology Center in Gurnee. He then started his own mobile welding business. Kyle is one of many CLC graduates bringing their skills to the world of manufacturing.
Read Kyle's story

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Learn the essentials

What can you do with a General Welding Certificate?

Earn while you learn with stackable credentials

Learn at the ATC: The largest in Illinois

Students succeed at CLC

Highlights

Metallica Scholarships

Advanced Technology Center (ATC)

Stackable Credentials

Credit for Prior Learning

Career Certificate

Program Length: 4 Months

Career Outlook

First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers

Salary Levels

Top entry-level education

Maintenance and Repair Workers, General

Salary Levels

Top entry-level education

Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters

Salary Levels

Top entry-level education

Reinforcing Iron and Rebar Workers

Salary Levels

Top entry-level education

Sheet Metal Workers

Salary Levels

Top entry-level education

Structural Iron and Steel Workers

Salary Levels

Top entry-level education

Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers

Salary Levels

Top entry-level education

Need help?

Recommended Pathway

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Semester 1 9 Credits

Total Credit Hours

Welding and Fabrication Technology at CLC: Get the bigger picture

Frequently asked questions

What are some skills I need to be successful in this program?

What exams will I qualify for after I complete the program?

What skills will I learn in this program?

Where will I find these types of jobs in Lake County?

How much does this program cost?

Kyle Thorne

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