Welding Pathway

welding

Downey Unified’s Welding Pathway offers students the opportunity to begin the pursuit of a highly rewarding and respected career option that is in high demand. This pathway is the first step on a path towards becoming licensed and certified with the American Welding Society (AWS). With technical lectures and demonstrations on industrial fabrication equipment along with plenty of hands-on experience, the Welding Pathway prepares students for trade school and entry-level work in welding-related fields.

Did you know…

  • A career in welding does not require the traditional 4- to 5-years of college
  • Welders can make between $85,000 and $107,000 per year

Welding supplies will be provided free of cost to our students

What is a Welding Pathway?

The Downey Unified Welding Pathway will be equivalent to the Cerritos College course: WELD 100 Welding Fundamentals (2.5 units)

DUSD Year 1: Weld 100: fall and spring semesters (180 hours total)

DUSD Year 2: Second course

  • Each semester course offers 5 original credits and is not recommended for credit recovery
  • Each course meets a-g criteria needed for high school diploma or application to CSU and UC
  • Offers forklift certification: student must be 18+ years of age
  • Is a first step on path towards becoming licensed and certified with the American Welding Society (AWS)
  • Prepares students for trade school and entry-level work in welding and related fields

Students will learn:

  • Welding safety
  • Forklift certification
  • Basic welding skills with 4 of the most popular arc welding processes: Arc Welding (SMAW), MIG (GMAW), TIG (GTAW), and FCAW
  • Carbon Arc, Plasma Arc, and Oxyfuel Cutting processes
  • Technical lectures and demonstrations on industrial fabrication equipment
  • Weld projects using multiple welding processes

Want to Learn More?

View Presentation

Who is the ideal student for the welding program?

  • Committed to safety and self-motivated
  • Committed to learning a technical trade
  • Interested in articulating into a trade school after course completion or college (e.g. Cerritos College welding program)
  • Interested in becoming an AWS certified welder in the future
  • Seeking to advance in the workforce with entry level welding skills & forklift certification (18+ yo)
  • Enjoys working outdoors or applying themselves to a hands-on project
  • Detail-oriented, creative and organized

Welding Certificate or Certification?

Certificate

  • Displays that you’ve successfully completed welding course(s)
  • Entry-level work

Certification

You passed the AWS welding certification exam (http://www.aws.org)

  • Eligible for LA City welding licensing

  • Journeyman, higher salary potential

  • Stronger employment demand and better job stability