Northern Wyoming Community College District is launching a new welding certificate designed to accommodate working adults. The Weekend Welding Certificate will be offered at Sheridan College with courses being held on Fridays and Saturdays. Students will be able to complete the program in one year. The Weekend Welding Certificate is part of Wyoming Works, an initiative launched by the Legislature last year to increase the number of adults with a college degree or certificate.
Wyoming Works makes grant dollars available to adult students to help offset the cost of going back to school. Students in the Weekend Welding Certificate program may also qualify for other scholarships, and on-campus housing is available to interested students.
“We developed this new certificate to give working adults an opportunity to advance their careers with a skill that is in high demand in our region,” said NWCCD President Dr. Walt Tribley. “We are excited to provide our industry partners with the workforce they need while giving working students access to education.”
The Weekend Welding Certificate prepares students for entry-level work in welding and follows the same 30-credit curriculum as the traditional Welding Certificate. In addition to gaining an overall understanding of welding machines, processes, and hands-on proficiency, students will develop skills in the areas of print reading, welding symbols, welding inspection and destructive and non-destructive testing. In addition, they will gain important knowledge and skills necessary to prepare them for welding qualification.
The certificate transitions seamlessly to the Associate of Applied Science degree program without loss of credit or time. Courses begin March 6, 2020, and spaces are limited. Courses are offered one at a time, with each class beginning after the previous one finished.
“Whether you are already working in a technical field and want to add to your skillset or you are looking to retool for a completely new career, the Weekend Welding Certificate is a great opportunity that will work with your busy schedule,” said Dr. Estella Castillo-Garrison, vice president for academic affairs.
NWCCD will provide two free information sessions about the Weekend Welding Certificate, at Sheridan College on Friday, Jan. 24 from 5:30 to 7:30 in the Whitney Academic Center atrium and at Gillette College on Friday, Jan. 31 from 5:30 to 7:30 in the Technical Education Center. Attendees will learn how to apply, schedule details, advising and financial aid resources, housing options and job outcomes.
To apply and for more information, visit www.sheridan.edu/WyomingWorks.
