Pipefitting/Pipe Welding Technology, AAS & Certificates
Prepares students for employment as an entry level pipe welder/fitter with an array of career opportunities within the industry. Topics include pipe welding processes of shielded metal arc welding, gas metal arc welding, gas tungsten arc welding, pipe fabrication, and trade math. A typical graduate seeks employment in power generation, cross-country pipeline, pressure vessel fabrication, process piping, and related maintenance and construction industries.
The Pipefitting/Pipe Welding Program emphasizes steel welding. However, all students are expected to become proficient welders on nonferrous materials such as stainless steel alloys. The primary focus is on stick electrode welding and fitting skills. Students train on SMAW (stick electrode), GMAW (MIG), GTAW (TIG), as well as related tools and equipment common in the field. Students qualify for NCCER Pipefitting Certification in addition to AWS, API and ASME welder qualification certification requirements.
Central Arizona College Welding shops are equipped with state of the art cutting and welding equipment, including computerized plasma cutting machines for plate and pipe. Students are trained in a jobsite setting using specialized pipefitting tools and equipment in a real-world environment common to the industry.
Note:
NCCER= National Center for Construction Education and Research
AWS= American Welding Society
API= American Petroleum Institute
ASME= American Society of Mechanical Engineers
SMAW= Shielded Metal Arc Welding
GMAW= Gas Metal Arc Welding
GTAW= Gas Tungsten Arc Welding
Related Occupations
Successful completion of this degree may lead to employment in a variety of different occupations and industries. Below are examples of related occupations with associated Arizona-based wages* for this degree. Education requirements vary for the occupations listed below, so you may need further education or degrees in order to qualify for some of these jobs and earn the related salaries. Please visit with an academic advisor and/or program director for additional information. You can click on any occupation to view the detail regarding education level, wages, and employment information.
* Career and wage information provided by Pipeline AZ using data, reports, and forecasts which are generated using government data sources.