Understanding how to teach welding in both K-12 and higher education can be a distinct advantage for CTE and trade programs. Welding is a skilled trade profession vital to many industries, including manufacturing, fabrication, automotive, and construction.
Introducing welding concepts early into K-12 education can set students up for success in high school, post-high school trade programs, apprenticeships and beyond. Here’s what we recommend at each step of the process.
Elementary School (K-5)
Elementary-level programs have the opportunity to build students’ awareness of the world and expose them to the possibilities of what they can achieve beyond school.
General CTE concepts such as hands-on learning and problem-solving activities can be introduced at the elementary level and instill essential skills that are needed for trades and industry. Project-based learning is common in CTE classrooms and can be an advantage for young learners that may not excel in a strictly academic education model, exposing them to more options that they can explore at a deeper level as they progress through academic and post-grad journeys.
For example, The Welding Institute has developed a fun hands-on activity where students can explore welding principles and mechanical testing with chocolate.
Another avenue to explore at this level is teaching students about systems, how those systems relate to the world, and how these systems can translate into careers. For example, a lesson on construction could culminate with examples of engineers, heavy equipment operators, welders and more and how these jobs are important to our society and workforce.
Career-focused events such as career day could be a way to introduce students to specific industries such as welding and provide an opportunity to ask questions and engage with those working in the field in fun and meaningful ways.
Middle School (6-8)
Research has identified middle school as a time when students can benefit the most from career exploration, a process of building self-awareness, learning about potential careers, and developing a plan for reaching future goals, according to the Association for Career and Technical Education (ACTE). ACTE recommends the following to ensure access to career exploration at the middle school level:
- Incorporate career-related project-based learning in the classroom.
- Design projects and activities to develop employability skills.
- Be flexible when offering exploratory and introductory CTE courses.
- Facilitate academic and career planning with scalable online tools.
- Enable short-term interactions with business and community leaders.
- Provide opportunities for career and technical student organizations’ participation, including financial support when needed.
At the middle school level, students may be able to take on more advanced topics related to engineering and welding concepts. The state of Virginia offers an Introduction to Technology and Engineering course for 6-8th graders that allows students use the engineering design process to guide them through various hands-on activities and projects, utilizing safe use of tools, materials, and techniques to solve problems.
When students have a foundation, simulators and AR/VR solutions could then allow students to practice and master the fundamentals of welding with less risk of injury.
When students have the confidence to be around live welding equipment and have thoroughly been briefed on safety precautions, collaborating with more advanced students in high school or higher education programs like this school system did could provide beneficial learning and teaching opportunities for both novice and more advanced welders. It could also provide opportunities for local businesses to donate supplies or time to encourage young welders to pursue the field.
High School (9-12)
As students enter high school welding programs, they should be able to earn certifications and learn on the job through apprenticeships. Many high school programs are aligned to the requirements of the American Welding Society, which are recognized by industry employers.
High school students will likely start with the basics and learn both the elements of welding (heat source, filler metal and the shielding gas or flux) and common types of welding processes such as mig, stick, and tig welding.
Programs like the one at Career And Technology Academy will go beyond the basics and teach basic safety and health of welders, drawing and welding symbol interpretation, Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW), Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW), Flux Cored Arc Welding (FCAW), Oxyfuel Cutting (OFC), Plasma Arc Cutting (PAC), and Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (GTAW) and welding inspection and testing.
At Harford Technical High School, students learn to weld with different materials such as steel, aluminum, and stainless steel, welding these different metals in the four main welding positions using different joint designs. Basic fabrication and blueprint reading is also covered, in addition to hands-on training in oxyacetylene welding and cutting, shielded metal arc welding, gas metal arc welding, and gas tungsten arc welding.
Ideally, welding training programs should prepare students in a variety of techniques, tools, and machinery that they may experience on the job. However, welding lab equipment choices often come down to important factors like student health and safety, as well as program size, space, and budget.
Higher-Ed
Beyond K-12 education, welding programs should focus specifically on in-demand skills needed to be a career-ready welder. Programs like the one at the Southern Virginia Higher Education Center are short-term, accredited programs that prepare students for a career in welding in less than a year, with no prior experience required. In addition to instruction in MIG, TIG, Stick, and Pipe welding, students learn crucial industry skills like:
- Welding safety and quality
- Welding symbols and detail drawing
- Oxyfuel, plasma arc, and air carbon cutting and gouging
- Arc welding equipment and setup
- SMAW, GTAW, GMAW, and FCAW training
In addition to industry-specific curriculum, the program also covers employability skills, resume writing, and interviewing skills to ensure success in the workforce, which is invaluable at the higher-education level.
As with every other grade level, hands-on learning opportunities and opportunities for community outreach should be incorporated into welding program, as well as chances to earn industry certifications. Programs that allow students to be dynamic across several industries give them a leg up in the workforce. For instance, New River CTC’s Welding program graduates can find a career in several fields of their choice.
Careers include building trade apprenticeships, repair welding, pipefitter/welder, power industry welding, production welding, aircraft welding, pressure vessel construction, structural steel welding, soldering and brazing, automotive welding and fabricator. Basic skills of welding are the same across several industries, so welders can easily shift from one industry to another, depending on where they are needed.
The welding industry continues to be in high demand, and students can find success no matter what level they start their CTE journey.
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