Welding Program

The welding program at J F Drake State Technical College prepares students for careers as welding engineers, manufacturing engineers, application engineers, sales engineers, and project engineer or manager. The program focuses on applying technical knowledge and skills to join or cut metal surfaces. Program course include: arc welding, resistance welding, brazing and soldering, cutting, high-energy beam welding and cutting, solid state welding, ferrous and non-ferrous materials, oxidation-reduction reactions, welding metallurgy, welding process and heat treating, structural design, safety, and codes and standards. Get more details below including other Alabama colleges that offer welding program.

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J F Drake State Technical College (Drake State)

3625 Helton Dr, Florence, AL

J F Drake State Technical College offers affordable two year programs. These programs lead to an associate of technology degree or a certificate program allowing for immediate entry into the workforce. Drake State aims to insure that its students are competitive in the job market by arming them with the skills they need to succeed. The thing that impresses most people is that tuition is affordable. You don’t have to pay a lot to get a great education at Drake State. In-state tuition is $111 per credit. The college is located in Huntsville, Alabama and over 1,200 students are enrolled.

The school was founded in 1961 as the Huntsville State Vocational Technical College. Drake was built on 32 acres of land and started out with only 27 students. The name of the school was changed to J. F. Drake State Technical Trade School in 1966 to honor of the late Joseph Fanning Drake, president of Alabama A&M University for more than 35 years.

Drake State Technical College is home to programs in Automotive Service Technology, Barbering Technology, Business Administration, Computer Information Systems Technology, Cosmetology, Culinary Arts, Electrical Engineering Technology, Electrical Technology, Engineering Graphics, Heating and Air Conditioning Technology, Industrial Systems Technology, Machine Tool Technology, Medical Assisting Technology, Salon Management, and Welding.

Many outstanding services are available to students at J F Drake State Technical College. The college provides counseling and assessment that helps students discover their interest. Student services also offers financial assistance that maximize the student’s ability to go to school. Tutoring services and career services are also available which help students to succeed.

Students Enrolled in the Welding Program

Get more details below regarding enrollment, academics, and school demographics. Drake State has offered the following programs for students:

• Less Than One Year Certificate
• Less Than Two-Year Award

Students by Academic Level (2019)

Students by Gender (2019)

Students by Race (2019)

Source: IPEDS Survey 2012-2020: Data obtained from the US Dept. of Education's Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS). Data may vary depending on school and academic year.

Career Options for Graduates

Welders, Cutters, and Welder Fitters

Description

Use hand-welding or flame-cutting equipment to weld or join metal components or to fill holes, indentations, or seams of fabricated metal products.

Career Outlook & Projections ()

According to the BLS, welders, cutters, and welder fitters employment is expected to grow at a rate of 3.6% from 2014 to 2024

Salary & Wages

• Florence-Muscle Shoals, AL
  • Total Employment: 180
  • Average Hourly Rate: $15.12
  • Average Annual Salary: $31450

Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders

Description

Set up, operate, or tend welding, soldering, or brazing machines or robots that weld, braze, solder, or heat treat metal products, components, or assemblies. Includes workers who operate laser cutters or laser-beam machines.

Career Outlook & Projections ()

According to the BLS, welding, soldering, and brazing machine setters, operators, and tenders employment is expected to shrink at a rate of -18.0% from 2014 to 2024

Source: Job descriptions, estimated salary and wages, and projected job growth are taken from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).