Welder – GMAW (“MIG”)

Are you good with your hands? Are you mechanically inclined? Then listen to this! 60% of everything manufactured has a welded component. If you are interested in becoming a welder, we have the training for you.

The Quick Careers Welder program consists of a series of courses* designed to prepare you for a career as a welder (MIG) and to prepare you to earn AWS Level I – Entry Welder certification.

*Awards of Completion are earned when all of the program courses are completed successfully. Introduction to Welding is a prerequisite for the MIG Welding course.

Class Information

Introduction to Welding (1 of 2)

This course is a prerequisite for the Welding – MIG course. It is an introduction to basic welding processes.

This 64-hour training includes:

  • 10 hours of safety
  • 20 hours of measurement, basic hand tools, grinding bevels on plate, clamp, and fit-up
  • 34 hours of GMAW Process & Theory, Machine Operation, and Welding

Welding – GMAW ('MIG') (2 of 2)

This course introduces gas metal arc welding (GMAW). Topics include equipment setup and fillet and groove welds with an emphasis on the application of GMAW electrodes on carbon steel plate. Upon completion, students should be able to perform fillet welds on carbon steel with prescribed electrodes in the flat, horizontal, and overhead positions.

This 128-hour training includes:

  • Safety and health of welders
  • Welding symbol Interpretation
  • Identification of the various electrode classifications
  • Selection and setup of gas metal arc welding equipment
  • Identification of the various weld defects and discontinuities
  • Identification, preparation, and fit-up of the various joint configurations
  • Identification of GMA welding equipment parts
  • Use of basic hand and power tools
  • Performance of various welding exercises with GMAW equipment

Students can earn the AWS (American Welding Society) SENSE Level I – Entry Welder Certification during class 2. For more information, go to https://www.senseonline.org/.

Both courses are at the Center for Advanced Manufacturing (CADM), 6012 W. Gate City Blvd., Greensboro on the Jamestown Campus.

Course Name Dates Days Hours Campus Room Register
WLD-3106-Q35 Introduction to Welding (course 1 of 2) 2/11/25- 3/18/25 Tu, W, Th 5:30- 9:30 p.m. Jamestown CADM 1535 Register Now
WLD-3106-Q60 GMAW (MIG) Welding (course 2 of 2)

3/19/25- 5/29/25

 Tu, W, Th 5:30-9:30 p.m. Jamestown CADM 1535

Frequently Asked Questions

The cost is:
  • Course 1 registration: $188
  • Book: about $236
  • Tool Kit/PPE: about $748
  • Course 2 registration: $213 (includes certification fee)
Total cost is about $1,385.

Payment for class is due at the time of registration.

Students must have:
  • Good computer skills
  • An email account
  • Access to a computer with internet
  • 20/20 vision, corrected (with glasses) or uncorrected (natural vision) This is critical!

You may be eligible for scholarship money. Click on the link below to learn if you might meet the applicant requirements. Scholarships have time-sensitive application deadlines.

WORKFORCE training SCHOLARSHIPS

Additionally, the NCWorks Career Center may be able to assist through the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) program. For more information, call NCWorks Greensboro at 336-297-9444 or NCWorks High Point at 336-882-4141.

You may register online: Register

Book and tools/supplies:

  • ISBN 9780357377659. "Welding Principles & Applications, ninth edition." From Cengage.  About $236 at Jamestown GTCC Bookstore. Purchase before the first night class.

  • ID 958873560124. MIG welding tool kit. About $565 at Jamestown GTCC Bookstore 
    Must purchase before the third night of class.

  • PPE (Personal Protective Equipment). Must purchase before the third night of class.

Students who successfully complete both welder classes will receive an Award of Completion.  

Requirements for successful completion:

  • Attendance: Must be in class 90% of the class hours
  • Coursework: Must achieve 80% on coursework

If you enter after the second day of class, you will not receive credit for taking the class.  Additionally, time absent will be counted against you; students can only miss 19 hours of total class time to pass.

The college will make a 100% refund of registration fees if you officially withdraw from class before the first meeting. Also if the class is canceled or full, GTCC will make a full refund. The college will refund 75% of the registration fee (of tuition only) if you officially withdraw from the class on the first day of class or before the class reaches the census date. The census date varies from class to class. Non-attendance is not a basis for a refund.