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CAREERS
Welding & Fabrication

Foundations of Stick Welding

Prepare for an entry-level stick welder role by building skills in SMAW equipment setup, electrode selection, multi-position welding, and inspection.

$49,860

ANNUAL MEDIAN RANGE

8 Weeks

Typical Time to Complete

14 Credits

MAY VARY BY INSTITUTION

StackableiCredits earned in this pathway can be applied toward certificates, diplomas, and associate degrees at participating community colleges.

TOWARD DEGREES & CREDENTIALS
ABOUT THIS PATHWAY

What You Learn

The Foundations of Stick Welding micro-pathway helps you build the skills needed to start a career as an entry-level stick welder or welder helper, with a focus on the SMAW (shielded metal arc welding) process. You will learn how to set up SMAW equipment, select the right electrodes, prepare and fit up joints, execute multi-position fillet and groove welds on plate and pipe, and interpret blueprints and weld symbols. The pathway also covers safe work practices and in-process weld inspection and defect troubleshooting. Stick welding is widely used in construction, pipe, and structural work where portable, all-position welding is needed.

This pathway supports progression into the Welding Technology Associate’s Degree program at your local community college.

ENROLL LOCALLY

Get Started Near You

This pathway is offered at AdvanceNC member colleges across North Carolina. Each college runs its own version of the program, so schedules, costs, and start dates vary by location. Find a college and reach out through its page to ask about training options near you.

Scholarships and funding are available. Ask about your options when you connect with a college.

Request Information

Alamance Community College

Graham, North Carolina • Alamance County

Randolph Community College

Asheboro, North Carolina • Randolph County

Sandhills Community College

Pinehurst, North Carolina • Moore County

Vance-Granville Community College

Henderson, North Carolina • Vance County

Aligned OCCUPATIONS

Jobs You Qualify For

Welder, Cutter, Solderer, Brazer

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

Welder Helper

Assist welders by performing duties of lesser skill such as setting up, cleaning, and prepping welding materials and equipment.

EMBEDDED CREDENTIALS

Credentials You Earn

OSHA-10

INCLUDED

PROGRAM SKILLS

Core Competencies You Learn

Welding Process Execution

Preparation & Set-Up

Interpreting welding documentation and preparing materials for production-quality welds.
  • Read and interpret blueprints, weld symbols, and technical drawings

Welding Techniques

Setting up welding machines and performing welds in multiple positions across common welding processes.
  • Set up and operate welding machines across multiple processes (SMAW, GMAW/MIG, FCAW, GTAW/TIG, Oxyfuel, Plasma Arc, Soldering/Brazing)
  • Perform welds in multiple positions (flat, horizontal, vertical, overhead, pipe); execute single/multipass, root/hot/cap passes

Material Assembly & Fabrication

Fitting, tacking, and finishing weldments to verify tolerance and alignment.
  • Fit and tack parts for tolerance, assemble sub-components, and verify squareness/alignment
  • Use grinders and other tools to prepare, joint, or finish welds as needed

Quality Assurance & Inspection

Visually inspecting welds to verify bead quality, penetration, tie-in, reinforcement, and defects.
  • Visually inspect welds for bead uniformity, penetration, tie-in, reinforcement, and defects

In Process Monitoring

Inspecting and troubleshooting welds during production to identify and correct defects.
  • Visually inspect welds and troubleshoot welds during production

Workplace Safety and Regulatory Compliance

Focuses on establishing safe welding work zones, controlling flammable materials, maintaining clean and organized work areas, and recognizing and reporting unsafe conditions to support safe, compliant welding operations.
  • Establish and maintain safe welding work zones, including proper ventilation and fire prevention measures
  • Control and manage flammable and combustible materials in welding and fabrication environments
  • Clean and maintain welding work areas to reduce hazards and support efficient operations
  • Identify, document, and report unsafe conditions or practices to supervisors in accordance with safety protocols

Workplace Initiative

The ability to act proactively by recognizing needs, taking responsibility, and motivating others, leading without formal authority while learning from experience and applying self-awareness to drive action and improvement.
  • Lead without a title: motivate and guide others, raise the morale of the group, and take responsibility for what needs to be done
  • Act as a catalyst: galvanize action, identify and seize opportunities for change, and overcome inertia
  • Demonstrate self-awareness: evaluate your own performance, recognize your motivations, and manage your anxiety
  • Learn from experience: welcome and apply feedback, resist defensiveness, and see failure as an opportunity for greater understanding

Interested in This Pathway?

Fill out the form below and we'll help connect you with a member institution to learn more.