Welding

Career Education programs and courses provide selected students with employment skills for entry into the job market, industry-specific skill upgrade or retraining, occupational certificates, and preparation for license examinations.

The University of Alaska Southeast Ketchikan Welding Program offers state-of-the-art equipment and safety. The program is certified by the American Welding Society (AWS) and prepares students for steady, high paying jobs in a variety of industries that utilize welders.

Successful students who complete both the entry level and advance (journeyman) level courses will be competent in quantitative welding skills and critical thinking.

Both programs are offered every semester. It is possible to complete both programs in nine months.

Emphasis is placed on Aluminum and Steel welding techniques. Welder certification is a part of the program. Upon successful completion of both courses and the qualifying exam, students become recognized American Welding Society Certified Advance Welders.

AWS Entry Level Welding

The AWS Entry Level Welding is an intensive 12-credit 600-hour course. This course lasts one semester. It is designed to give a welding student entry level skills in SMAW, GTAW, GMAW, FCAW with mild steel and aluminum. The course consists of lecture, lab and on-the-job training. The course uses the American Welding Society Guide for the Training and Qualification of Welding Personnel.

AWS Advanced Level Welding

The AWS Advance Level Welding is an intensive 12-credit 600-hour course. This course lasts one semester. Student must complete the AWS Entry Level Welding prior to being accepted into the advance level course. The course is designed to continue a student's education in welding areas including joint fit-up and alignment, air carbon arc cutting and gouging, properties of metals, preheating and post-heating welds, GTAW pipe, GMAW and FCAW equipment and filler metals, FCAW pipe, GATW carbon steel pipe, GTAW stainless steel pipe and GTAW equipment and filler metals. The course utilizes the AWS S.E.N.S.E. Craft Training Program for advanced welders.

For more information, contact instructor Steve Brandow at 907-228-4534.

Steve Brandow, Assistant Professor of Welding

Steve began welding with the inspiration of his mother, a welder during World War II. He has been welding since 1980 and teaching at UAS Ketchikan since 1999. Steve's goals for welding students is for them to learn how to weld well and have a productive life. With the recent upgrade and installation of state-of-the-art technology and safety equipment, the welding lab offers students hands-on training with the latest equipment and instructors who understand welding techniques. Students in the UAS Ketchikan Welding Program can begin their career in welding or they can come to acquire new techniques in welding to stay competitive in the market. Steve is certified by the American Welding Society as both an Associate Welding Inspector as well as a Welding Instructor.