Welcome to the Welding Program at SRJC!

Welding is a highly skilled trade and welders may be employed in a wide variety of industries where metal must be joined together: from automobile racing to ship building, bridge and building construction, pipeline construction, refrigeration, missile and aircraft construction, automobiles to fine art and sculpture and the repair of farm equipment.

Welding can offer a great career path to students who enjoy working with their hands and have a high degree of mechanical aptitude. It is important to be mentally alert and physically fit, as welding has numerous occupational hazards as a profession. It is recommended that students complete courses in mechanical drawing, blueprint reading, general metals, and technical math in addition to Welding Technology 70A, or demonstrate some proficiency in welding.

The one-year Welding Program at Santa Rosa Junior College prepares students for entry into the field. Employers seek welders trained at community colleges and vocational schools, as on-the-job training may be too costly; however, more advanced skills are learned through work experience. At this time, Sonoma County manufacturing is growing, affording excellent employment opportunities for the qualified person.

Developments in metallurgy have created many new types of metals that require new techniques. The simplest and most common type of welding today is arc welding, but there are over 100 different processes that a welder may employ. The welding trade is expected to continue to grow and welders who qualify are always in demand. The current median hourly wage for welders is approximately $16.

Welders who obtain a bachelor’s degree or have many years experience can become welding engineers. Many welders become supervisors, inspectors, instructors, or business owners with their own shops. The possibilities are many.

• Welding Technology Certificate of Achievement

Contact Us

Ben Whitaker
Program Coordinator/Instructor
Telephone: (707) 527-4379
Fax: (707) 527-4651
E-mail: bwhitaker@santarosa.edu
Room 2395, Lounibos Center, Santa Rosa Campus

Classes

For information about class offerings, access SRJC’s current Schedule of Classes.

Welding Faculty

Full-time faculty - Ben Whitaker
Adjunct faculty

Advisory Committee

See the Welding Advisory Committee