Mountain Empire Community College
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Welding

Name E-mail Phone Number
Paul Gilley pgilley@me.vccs.edu 276-523-2400, ext. 334
Welders are skilled in the design, construction, repair, and assembling of equipment used in all phases of the building industry.

Certification

MECC provides welder qualification testing based on the American Welding Society certification standards.

Employers want entry-level welders who:

  • Have arc welding and oxyfuel skills
  • Enjoy building and repairing things
  • Have manual dexterity and like detail work
  • Have excellent communication and people skills

Employment Outlook

  • Nationwide projections show a significant demand for welders/cutters and welding machine operators through the year 2010.
  • In Virginia, the demand for welders/cutters is projected to be 8,676 by the year 2014.

Advancement

Entry-level welders can advance to expert welder, inspector, and production foreman positions.

Salary

Average hourly rate is $10.74 to $16.37.

You will find other MECC graduates at:

A & L Construction Company, C & S Welding, Carter Machinery Company, Joy Mining Machinery Company, Powell Construction Company, Romak Construction Company

Professional Organizations


MECC students get hands-on training in stick welding.
Students in MECC’s Welding program are trained to set up and operate state-of-the-art (MIG and TIG) Welders and other welding equipment.
Andy Begley prepares to become a combination welder as a graduate of MECC’s Welding program.
Updated September 21, 2007                                      Contact MECC                                      MECC Home