Welding Program

The welding program at West Kentucky Community and 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 Kentucky colleges that offer welding program.

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West Kentucky Community and Technical College (NKU)

Nunn Drive, Highland Heights, KY

West Kentucky Community and Technical College (WKCTC) in Paducah, KY, is an institution strongly dedicated to community and family. Their values include trust, multiculturalism, flexibility and innovation, and they provide an environment conducive to learning and teaching.

A two-year finalist for the Top 10 Aspen Prize, WKCTC offers certificates, diplomas and associate degrees in several disciplines, and runs a university-parallel general curriculum that meets the first two years’ transfer requirements for a baccalaureate degree at other universities and colleges.

With a starting tuition of $144 per credit hour for in-state and online students, WKCTC is well within the reach of most aspiring students. In addition, there are several aid options such as loans, grants and the Federal Work Study Program, making college education an affordable pursuit.

One unique offering from WKCTC is their Accessible College Education program, which is specifically designed for working people who want better career opportunities. Under this program, successful applicants may receive credits for work experience or prior learning, and can complete the course by attending one class per weekend, in the evening. They can also opt for the online version of the program.

There are several extracurricular activities for students who want to engage in artistic endeavors. The Clemens Fine Arts Center regularly presents nationally touring productions in music, theatre and dance, and has been doing so for the past 42 years.

For a well-rounded education that focuses equally on technical and creative learning at affordable rates, very few community colleges match up to WKCTC.

Students Enrolled in the Welding Program

Get more details below regarding enrollment, academics, and school demographics. West Kentucky Community and Technical College has offered the following degree levels 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

• Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN
  • Total Employment: 2
  • Average Hourly Rate: $18.54
  • Average Annual Salary: $38570

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

Salary & Wages

• Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN
  • Total Employment: 360
  • Average Hourly Rate: $18.42
  • Average Annual Salary: $38310

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