Welding and Metal Fabrication Technology
Students in this program use a variety of arc and/or gas welding and cutting equipment to weld metal components together, fabricate new items, or repair/alter metal items according to layouts, blueprints, or work orders. They learn related skills such as grinding, clamping, positioning, and the detection and repair of cracks using various testing equipment. Recent graduates of the CPI Welding program have had three job offers each. The Apprentice School (Newport News, VA) recently offered graduates in welding and machining $11.11 per hour to participate in a four-year, tuition-free apprenticeship.
Edward Finnefrock
Mr. Finnefrock graduated from Bucktail Area High school in 1975. In June of 1975, he started a career as a welder, working for Berwick Forge and Fabricating building railroad cars. In September of 1978, Mr. Finnefrock and his wife, two dogs, and one cat pulled up stakes and set off for Texas. Once there, he became employed by the largest construction company in the world, Brown and Root. Mr. Finnefrock has had the experience in working in the heavy construction industry building and repairing nuclear, coal and gas-fired power plants, pulp and paper and oil and natural gas fields.
Students that enter the welding program will be required to complete certain assignments. This work may include:
- 4- two to five page essays
- Chapter review questions
- Trade terms
- Chapter reading assignments
- Math homework
Qualification/Certification
Students can acquire a welding qualification/certification in various positions, welding processes, per the American Welding Society (AWS) D1.1 welding code criteria.
Student Cost: Varies