Contact Information
General Contact
- School Code: 866100
- Phone: (540) 261-8400
- School Homepage
Admissions Office
Financial Aid Office
FINANCIAL AID RATE
88%STUDENT TEACHER RATIO
21:1DEGREE OFFERED ONLINE
10FINANCIAL AID AWARD AVG.
$3,681Average Grants + Scholarship Aid Awarded to Undergraduate Students
Percent of Full-Time Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid
Percent of Students Paying In-State Tuition vs Out-of-State Tuition
School Map
Welding Program
The welding program at Southside Virginia Community 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 Virginia colleges that offer welding program.
Learn more by requesting information now!

Southside Virginia Community College (SVU)
1 University Hill Drive, Buena Vista, VA
Southside Virginia Community College, located in Alberta, Virginia, was founded in 1970 and is one of the 23 schools that comprise the Virginia Community College System. The school serves 10 counties through campuses in Alberta and Keysville.
The school also operates the Southside Virginia Education Center, which provides additional education services to residents. SVCC serves over 8000 students annually and operates on the semester system which is typically 15 weeks long. It is open to all individuals, and is dedicated to providing the best education possible through a qualified staff and engaging programs, which are reviewed regularly to ensure they meet current standards and student needs.
Academics
Southside Virginia Community College offers a variety of programs designed to facilitate academic transfer or provide in depth career training. Academic transfer is achieved through the completion of the first two years of a four year education, followed by applying for transfer to a college or university to finish the final two years and earn a bachelor's degree.
Students applying to Virginia public institutions will have ease of transfer through agreements that guarantee admission if certain academic prerequisites are met. Transfer to out of state or private schools will require the student to requirements of the individual school to be considered for admission, and as a result should consult a counselor and research his or her desired schools prior to applying.
Career training programs prepare students for a career in a chosen area of study. Enrolled students will be able to enter the workforce as professionals upon completion of their program, having been through the necessary courses, which include study in theory, practice, application and methodology. Practical experience is gained through controlled and supervised settings that allow for error and growth. A program takes between one and two years to complete, resulting in a certificate or degree which assists graduates in seeking employment at the entry level.
Programs offered include:
Admissions and Financial Aid
Individuals interested in enrollment at Southside Virginia Community College may do so through the school's open enrollment policy which only requires the applicant to be 18 years of age or have a high school diploma or GED. Those who meet the minimum requirements need to submit a completed application and pay all fees prior to the start of classes in order to be enroll.
Student are also asked to supply previous transcripts and standardized test scores if possible or available, the information from which may be used to substitute the required placement exam. A visit to a counselor and participation in new student orientation are also encouraged.
Financial aid is available in the form of loans, grants and scholarships. Students in need of financial assistance must complete and submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), the information from which is used by the financial aid office to construct a aid plan that is based on the student's need and aid program eligibility. Aid must be reapplied for prior to the start of each academic year.
Students Enrolled in the Welding Program
Get more details below regarding enrollment, academics, and school demographics. Southside Virginia Community College has offered the following academic levels for students:
- Less Than One Year Certificate
- Less Than Two-Year Award
Students by Academic Level (2019)
Graduates | |
---|---|
Less Than One Year Certificate | 44 |
Less Than Two-Year Award | 2 |
Students by Gender (2019)
Graduates | |
---|---|
Male | 43 |
Female | 3 |
Students by Race (2019)
Graduates | |
---|---|
Asian | 1 |
Black | 15 |
Hispanic | 1 |
White | 28 |
Multiple Races | 1 |
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
Upon completion of the Welding program at Southside Virginia Community College, most students have pursued careers in the following fields: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
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).
Admission Requirements & Details
The admission details below may provide a better idea of the applicants SVU accepts. The details may include application requirements and recommendations, as well as any college or dual credits that may be transferred.
College Credits Accepted
- Dual Credits
- Life Experience Credits
- AP Course Credits
Academics & Student Services
Student Services
To help students and recent graduates, Southside Virginia Community College may offer services like:
- Online course work available
- Classes offered on nights and weekends
- Remedial courses
- Career path counseling
- Employing students to lower education costs
- Helping students find work after graduation