Welder

Course Description

PMT0074C – Welder is the capstone Postsecondary Adult Vocational (PSAV) clock-hour course in the Florida Welding Technology program (CIP 48.0508). The course completes program competencies by integrating advanced practice across multiple welding processes (SMAW, GMAW, FCAW, GTAW), expanding work to include pipe welding in fixed positions, and preparing students for industry-recognized AWS performance qualification testing. The course also addresses career-launch competencies — qualification testing, interviewing, and the transition to industry employment.

Building on the foundational and process-specific modules (PMT0070C through PMT0073C), this course develops the cross-process versatility, position-welding consistency, and qualification-test readiness that distinguish entry-level welders from more advanced welders. Students engage in extensive hands-on practice culminating in formal qualification testing in multiple positions and processes per AWS D1.1, ASME Section IX, or other applicable codes used by the program.

This course is offered at approximately 35 Florida technical colleges as the program-completion module of the Florida PSAV Welding Technology program. Successful completion combined with passing AWS performance qualification tests positions graduates for direct hire into welding employment across construction, manufacturing, marine, aerospace, and energy sectors.

Learning Outcomes

Required Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

• Apply habituated welding shop safety and serve as a model for safe practice in mixed-skill-level shop settings.
• Perform SMAW, GMAW, FCAW, and GTAW welds with consistency on carbon steel across welding positions, demonstrating cross-process versatility.
• Pass AWS D1.1 plate performance qualification tests in 3G and 4G positions on carbon steel plate using SMAW with E7018 (or equivalent qualifications under another applicable code).
• Perform pipe welding in fixed positions (1G rolled, 2G fixed-vertical-axis, and where included 5G fixed-horizontal-axis or 6G 45° fixed) on schedule 40 carbon steel pipe.
• Apply open-root pipe welding technique with cellulosic electrode (E6010 or E6011) root pass and low-hydrogen (E7018) fill and cap, or alternative qualified procedures.
• Read, interpret, and follow welding procedure specifications (WPS) in production, recognizing essential vs. supplementary essential variables and the welder's responsibilities under code.
• Apply visual inspection to completed welds at the welder-self-inspection level, identifying defects before submitting work for formal inspection.
• Apply weld repair consistent with code requirements, including diagnosing defects, removing them through grinding or gouging, and re-welding to acceptable quality.
• Demonstrate industry-level productivity, including consistent output, minimal rework, efficient electrode and consumable management, and time discipline.
• Apply blueprint reading and interpretation to fabrication tasks, including layout, cutting, fit-up, tacking, welding, and dimensional verification.
• Demonstrate basic fabrication skills integrating cutting, layout, fit-up, and welding to produce a finished part or assembly meeting specifications.
• Apply career-launch competencies, including resume preparation for welders, portfolio assembly (qualifications, photos of representative work), interview preparation, and navigating union apprenticeships and direct-hire pathways.

Optional Outcomes

• Earn the AWS Certified Welder (CW) credential through an AWS Accredited Test Facility (where institution is accredited).
• Pass 5G or 6G pipe qualifications, opening pathways to pipeline and pipefitter career tracks.
• Apply welding to specialty materials (stainless steel, aluminum) at intermediate competency.
• Engage with welding inspector preparation at the awareness level (CWI prerequisites; AWS QC1 framework).
• Engage with OSHA 30-Hour Construction certification (where included or available alongside the program).

Major Topics

Required Topics

• Cross-Process Practice: Sustained practice across SMAW, GMAW, FCAW, and GTAW; recognizing process strengths for given applications; transitioning between processes within a single fabrication.
• Plate Qualification Test Preparation: The AWS D1.1 qualification test process; test specimen preparation; reading the test WPS; managing the test environment; consistent technique under test conditions; common reasons for failed qualification tests.
• Pipe Welding Fundamentals: Pipe nomenclature (NPS, schedule, wall thickness); pipe joint preparation (bevel, root face, root opening, alignment); the difference between plate and pipe technique; the role of pipe welding in the welding profession.
• Pipe Welding — 1G Rolled and 2G Fixed: Rolled pipe technique (rotating the pipe to keep welding flat); fixed-vertical-axis pipe (2G — welding around horizontal pipe with fixed orientation); managing the puddle around the pipe.
• Pipe Welding — 5G Fixed (Where Included): Vertical-fixed-axis pipe (horizontal pipe, welder moves around it); transitioning between flat, vertical, and overhead within a single weld; root, fill, and cap progression around the pipe; among the most demanding welding skills.
• Pipe Welding — 6G Fixed (Where Included): 45° fixed pipe — the most challenging position; covers all positions in a single test; AWS B2.1 6G qualification covers all plate positions; the gateway to the highest-paying pipe welder work.
• Open-Root Pipe Welds: E6010 (or E6011) root with consistent penetration on schedule 40 pipe; managing the keyhole; transitioning to E7018 hot pass and fill/cap; common pipeline and pipefitter procedure.
• Welding Procedure Specifications (WPS) in Practice: Reading and following a production WPS; essential variables (process, base metal P-number, filler metal F-number, position, electrical characteristics, technique, pre-heat); the welder's responsibility for compliance; the relationship between the WPS and welder qualification.
• Welder Qualification Records (WQR/PQR Distinction): The difference between a welder's qualification record (WQR) and a procedure qualification record (PQR); what a welder qualification covers (positions, processes, materials, thicknesses); maintaining qualifications.
• Industry-Level Productivity: Pounds of weld metal deposited per hour; managing personal pace; the economics of welding from the employer perspective; setup and changeover efficiency.
• Self-Inspection: The welder's role in self-inspection; visual inspection of completed welds; identifying defects before submitting for formal inspection; understanding inspection acceptance criteria; documenting work.
• Weld Repair Under Code: When repair is allowed; documentation of repairs; managing repair to maintain overall weld quality and dimensional accuracy.
• Fabrication Project: Capstone fabrication tasks integrating cutting, layout, fit-up, tacking, welding, and dimensional verification; producing a finished part or assembly meeting specified tolerances.
• Career Launch Skills: Welder resume (emphasizing qualifications, processes, materials, positions); portfolio assembly; interview preparation; weld test process for direct-hire positions; navigating union apprenticeships (UA, Ironworkers, Boilermakers); negotiating wages and benefits; understanding the welding labor market.

Optional Topics

• 5G and 6G Pipe Qualifications: Extended preparation and testing in fixed pipe positions; the highest-paying welding qualifications.
• Specialty Materials: Stainless steel welding (with back purge); aluminum welding (AC GTAW, push technique); intermediate competency on materials beyond carbon steel.
• Welding Inspector Preparation: AWS QC1; CWI prerequisites; familiarity with AWS D1.1 inspection requirements; the path to CWI credential.
• Advanced Productivity: Continuous improvement principles; setup reduction; the impact of welder skill on shop economics.
• Union Apprenticeship Pathways: Specific pathways for Florida UA Plumbers and Pipefitters locals; Ironworkers locals; Boilermakers Local 199 (Jacksonville); the value proposition of apprenticeship.

Resources & Tools

• Common Texts: Same as prior welding modules; AWS D1.1 (Structural Welding Code—Steel) — current edition; ASME Section IX (Welding and Brazing Qualifications); Pipe Welding Procedures (Hoobasarian); The Procedure Handbook of Arc Welding (Lincoln Electric)
• Personal Equipment: Same as prior modules; substantial consumption of all electrode types; pipe coupons for pipe content
• Shop Equipment: All process equipment (SMAW, GMAW, FCAW, GTAW); pipe stands and pipe coupons in multiple positions; bend test equipment; rod ovens; air carbon arc gouging equipment; AWS-acceptable test booth/setup for qualification testing
• Reference Standards: AWS D1.1 (Structural Welding Code—Steel); AWS B2.1 (Specification for Welding Procedure and Performance Qualification); ASME Section IX; AWS QC7 (AWS Certified Welder); AWS QC1 (Welding Inspector certification standard)
• Online Resources: AWS welder qualification portal; weld.com; Welding Tips and Tricks (YouTube); Pipeliners Cloud; Pipefitter forums

Career Pathways

PMT0074C completes the Florida Welding Technology PSAV program, positioning graduates for direct hire into welding employment. Pathways include:

• Production Welder — Manufacturing employers across Florida (food processing, agricultural equipment, marine, aerospace, custom fabrication).
• Structural Welder (AWS D1.1 Qualified) — Bridge construction; structural steel fabrication; high-rise buildings; offshore structures.
• Pipe Welder / Combo Welder — Process piping at refineries and chemical plants; pipefitter work; pipeline welding (with appropriate qualifications); typically the highest-paying welder roles.
• Field Welder / Traveling Welder — Project-based work at industrial sites; significant travel; high pay.
• Maintenance Welder at Industrial Facility — In-house roles at refineries, power plants, paper mills, theme parks (Disney, Universal); job security; benefits.
• Shipbuilding Welder — Florida shipyards (Eastern Shipbuilding, BAE Systems Jacksonville, MHI Tampa); Navy shipyards (Mayport).
• Aerospace Welder — Florida aerospace employers (Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, Boeing, SpaceX, Blue Origin, NASA contractors).
• Welding Inspector (with additional credentials) — AWS Certified Welding Inspector (CWI) commands premium pay and supervisory responsibility.
• Welding Instructor (with additional teaching credential) — Florida technical college instruction.
• Welding Supervisor / Foreman — Lead roles in construction and fabrication.
• Union Apprenticeship — UA Plumbers and Pipefitters; Ironworkers; Boilermakers; provides journey-level wages, benefits, pension.

Florida's substantial construction, infrastructure, energy, marine, aerospace, and manufacturing sectors all sustain strong continuous demand for qualified welders. Welding is consistently ranked among the highest-demand skilled trades in Florida, and qualifications earned in PMT0074C and the related PMT modules directly translate to employment opportunity.

Special Information

Position in the Program Sequence

PMT0074C is the program-completion module of the Florida PSAV Welding Technology program. Students completing PMT0074C with passing performance qualification tests (where administered) and satisfactory clinical/shop performance are eligible for program completion documentation and may pursue immediate employment.

AWS Certified Welder Credential

The AWS Certified Welder (CW) credential is a portable, employer-recognized welding qualification testing welders against standardized AWS test requirements. Florida technical colleges that are AWS Accredited Test Facilities (ATFs) can administer the test. Earning the CW credential during or shortly after PMT0074C provides a valuable, employer-recognized addition to the welder's portfolio.

Maintaining Qualifications

Per AWS D1.1, welder performance qualifications expire when the welder has not used the qualified process in the qualified position for six months. Welders maintain active qualifications through continuous practice or through periodic re-testing. Employers typically support qualification maintenance by providing varied work and supporting periodic testing.

Union Apprenticeship Pathway

Many top-earning welders in Florida pursue union apprenticeship after PSAV completion:

• UA Plumbers and Pipefitters (Locals 366 Tampa Bay, 234 Jacksonville, 725 Miami, 803 Sarasota) — Process piping and pipefitter welding.
• Ironworkers (Locals 808 Orlando, 272 Miami, 597 Tampa, 401 Jacksonville) — Structural steel welding.
• Boilermakers (Local 199 Jacksonville) — Power plant and refinery vessel welding.

Apprenticeship typically provides 3-5 years of paid training to journey level, with comprehensive benefits and pension. PSAV completion is recognized as preparation for apprenticeship, though apprenticeship itself involves additional structured training, usually with hours credit toward apprenticeship for prior PSAV experience.

Articulation

Florida technical college PSAV welding programs may articulate to Florida college Welding Technology A.S./A.A.S. programs at participating institutions. Graduates pursuing welding inspection (CWI), welding engineering technology, or welding instruction careers typically pursue continued education along these articulation pathways.

Long-Term Career Health

Sustained welding work involves long-term occupational considerations (cumulative welding fume exposure, hearing damage, vision effects, ergonomic stress, heat exposure in Florida's climate). Professional development includes habits supporting long-term career health: consistent respiratory protection, hearing protection, varied work positions over a career, regular medical and vision check-ups, and where appropriate, transitioning to less physically demanding roles (welding inspection, supervision, instruction) over time.