Welding

 

Welding

Welding students learn to use numerous types of welding processes, gasses, filler materials, tools, equipment and cutting of metal parts according to diagrams, blueprints, and written specifications. Industry credentials, or certifications, are offered at all levels of Welding in accordance with American Welding Society (AWS) National Certification (SENSE) and AWS D1.1 Structural Steel Code. Some courses may be available for dual enrollment credits through Northern Virginia Community College (NVCC).

This career pathway includes:

Course

Grade 

Course Credits

Dual Enrollment (DE) Option

Welding I

10 – 11

1 credit

Yes

Welding II

11 – 12

2 credits (double-block)

Yes

Welding III

12

2 credits (double-block)

Yes

 Note: Applications for this program are open for rising 9th, 10th, and 11th grade students.   Visit the Specialty Programs website to learn more about the application process and timeline.

Specialty Program

This is a transfer program. Students express interest in the program by following the Specialty Program application and timeline process. Students who are accepted into the program and choose to participate will transfer to the program location (Potomac Senior High School) for all courses and activities. Express bus transportation may be available for students who live outside the program location boundaries – visit the Specialty Programs website to learn more.


Program Location

Potomac Senior High School

Specialty Program Coordinator: Ms. Norwood

Telephone: 703-441-4200

Email: norwoosm@pwcs.edu


Course Descriptions

Welding I

Welding is required by a wide variety of industries anywhere fusible materials and high heat are needed to manufacture, repair, or alter tools and products. Students in Welding I are taught to use manual welding, cutting, and electrical arc welding processes to fabricate and join metal parts according to diagrams, blueprints, and specifications. Students will also learn all safety-related practices and techniques, including earning the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) 10 card.

Welding II

This course teaches advanced welding students how to fine-tune their craft and to perform welds in various positions, using multiple welding processes. Welding is required by a wide variety of industries anywhere fusible materials and high heat are needed to manufacture, repair, or alter products. Professional welders are in high demand and can earn accordingly. This is a double-blocked course.

Welding III

This welding capstone course teaches students the industry's emerging technologies, along with shielded metal arc welding (SMAW) and flux-cored arc welding (FCAW). Students will also learn to operate a computer numerical control (CNC) cutting table. Students are prepared to earn relevant industry credentials toward employment in production or manufacturing facilities. This is a double-blocked course.


Potomac Senior High School's Welding Lab teaches all the major welding techniques used in today's industry. Students will become a part of the most advanced, modern technology any lab has to offer. Students also have the opportunity to become dually-enrolled as high school and college students, partnered with Northern Virginia Community College, earning college credits while still in high school. Students have the opportunity to gain close to all the credits needed in order to become certified welders at a fraction of the cost of Northern Virginia Community College's regular tuition rate as a result of our partnership with NVCC.

Our Welding Program is AWS (American Welding Society) accredited and a SENSE Level certification (Students Excelling through National skill Standard Education) can be earned. We also participate in Skills USA local, district and national competitions. Potomac Senior High School's Welding Program is designed to train and certify students to become highly skilled individuals upon graduation. Learn how to weld for a career or a hobby. The program participates in numerous field trips that are taken throughout the year to various welding organizations such as Dominion Power Plant and ship yards. We offer a 4 year, fully transferable program; however, 9th graders are required to take Technical Drawing for their first year preparation. Grades 10, 11 and 12 start welding immediately. Students with less than 4 years left on their educational requirements can also transfer to the Program.


Please contact Professor Simon J Bhagwandeen at Bhagwasj@pwcs.edu for any questions.