Welding
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.
UAS Ketchikan offers an 18-credit occupational endorsement in welding every academic year. A student can start in the fall and complete training by late spring each year.Emphasis is placed on Aluminum and Steel welding techniques. Welder certification is a part of the program. Upon successful completion of course work and taking the qualifying exam, students become recognized American Welding Society Certified Entry-Level Welders.
Welding Careers Varied
Once you have chosen welding as a career, the possibilities are wide and varied. You can become a welder, pipefitter, iron worker, boilermaker, welding tech, welder fitter or you can go into welding engineering; you can be an underwater welder; or you can become a welding educator.
Welders Needed Now
The field of welding is wide and the need for qualified welders continues to be high demand. Once trained, welders can make starting wages of $20+/hour. With additional training and specialties, welders can earn over $50/hour. The possibilities include travel. You can train in Ketchikan, live in Ketchikan or travel the state, the nation or even the world being a welder. Welders are needed at every level. Union apprenticeship programs are available to expand your skills once you completed the occupational endorsement.
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.
Welding as Art
In the Fall 2008 semester, students in the Metal Arts class, taught by UAS Ketchikan Adjunct Faculty Instructor Ken Horn, immersed themselves in welding techniques, designing their pieces and creating an elaborate underwater ‘seascape.’ Student artists include JoMarie Alba, Margaret Cloud, Janine Gibbons, Anna Hillberry, Brooke Keith, Paige Keith and Martin Northway.
“Only two of the students had ever used the power tools or welding processes required for the task at hand, presenting a special challenge for them, which they overcame with flying colors,” Instructor Ken Horn said. “Finding a project everyone could contribute to and complete within our time restraints was the first challenge. A seascape was a good choice and offered students the opportunity to be creative as they researched and designed their subjects,” Horn said.