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Welding Technology, A.A.S.

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Overview

Welding technology is a highly desired degree program where the graduates are typically employed in manufacturing as certified welders in this high demand field. The associate degree assists the welder in being a well-rounded employee who desires advancement in their career whether it be in management, sales, purchasing, or procurement.

The curriculum includes coursework in welding that is designed to prepare the student for various welding certifications. In addition, the degree offers coursework in some of the soft skills and tangible areas of liberal arts. The laboratory approach provides the student with ample opportunity to develop welding skill sets that are marketable in the workforce.

The program in now housed in our State of the Art New Welding and Metal Fab shop located on the main campus in the C-Annex. The 4500 sq. ft. modern facility was dedicated/opened January 23rd 2024, that features small class sizes for the lab portions of 10 students to 1 faculty member for more individual experience.

Graduates of this program are readily accepted by the industry.

Program Goals and Objectives
  • Graduates will become certified welders.
  • Provide students with the basic knowledge required for entry level in manufacturing welding.

AWS Certification and Accredited Testing Facility

Our welding technology program also features a metal fabrication shop, which prepares students for employment in the welding industry. Certification is highly encouraged with the students and follows AWS [American Welding Society] along with D1.1 Structural Steel Welding codes. This program includes a wide range of welding experiences in steel, stainless, aluminum found in any form be it sheet metal, plate, pipe, tube, angle, I-beam etc.

Our students can exit the program in two years earning their A.A.S. college degree. Earning potentially multiple certification in our welding processes. There is an additional fee for the student to earn their certification card and listing on the AWS official site. This fee comes from their application form, that they must fill out with AWS. Completion of our class does not guarantee anyone AWS certification unless the welding procedures/qualification test are passed. We follow strict guidelines procedures in overseeing these tests by highly qualified instructors.

Our welding technology program proudly received it recognition / designation from AWS [American Welding Society] as an ATF [Accredited Testing Facility] site.

ATF Certification

Restoration Efforts at Griffis Sculpture Park

September 28th, at Griffis Sculpture Park in East Otto, where students and staff worked alongside other volunteers and professionals in collaboration with AWS, of which we are proud members. This marks our third year supporting this important event, aimed at restoring and stabilizing the artworks created under the vision of Larry Griffis. With over 60 volunteers joining us, it was a truly impactful day of community service and preservation. I am honored to serve as the Niagara Section 6 Chairman of the AWS organization.

Welding Workshop

On September 20th, we hosted a welding workshop presented by Swagelok, focusing on orbital welding techniques. Students had the opportunity to perform welds on ¼” diameter tubing as a hands-on demonstration. This specialized welding process is extensively used in industries such as food and pharmaceuticals, aerospace, and semiconductor manufacturing—an industry poised for significant growth here in New York.

Alumni Spotlight

Connor Richardson ’20

Connor Richardson obtained a degree in Welding Technology from SUNY Niagara. Having previously attended a four-year college, Connor decided that SUNY Niagara’s two-year program is where he wanted to be. Connor’s welding experience started at home where that work turned into a profession he could see himself in for years to come. He chose SUNY Niagara because our two-year program offers more opportunities than a basic certificate that you may get at other schools. “It makes it a lot easier to get a job. You’re going to have some experience in places such as blueprint reading and torch cutting that will make you more of an asset to companies that are out there.”

Connor Richardson

Student Testimonials

Professional Licensure Disclosure

Effective July 1, 2024, federal regulation requires institutions of higher education to make a  determination whether a Title IV eligible academic program that leads to professional licensure or certification meets the educational requirements for licensure/certification in the U.S. State where the institution is located and the U.S. States where “distance education” students are located at the time of initial enrollment in the program, as well as U.S. States where the program is advertised as meeting such requirements, and if applicable, the U.S. State where students attest they intend to be licensed/certified.

The Welding Technology A.A.S.    program at SUNY Niagara is registered by the New York State Education Department and thus meets the educational requirements for licensure/certification for New York State.

Through a good faith effort, and for the purpose of complying with the federal regulation, we have determined that Welding Technology A.A.S. program at SUNY Niagara, if successfully completed, is sufficient to meet the educational requirements for licensure/certification in the following U.S. States:

State Welding Technology
New York https://www.dot.ny.gov/divisions/engineering/structures/engineering/approved-field-welder-list

It is important to note that SUNY Niagara is not the licensure/certification authority in these U.S. States and cannot assess whether an individual candidate will be issued a license/certificate in these U.S. States and instead it is incumbent on each individual candidate to contact the licensure/certification authority in the applicable U.S. State for any further guidance on the requirements for licensure/certification requirements and application processes.

Joseph Schmidt

Program Contact

Joseph Schmidt
Program Coordinator
Phone: 716-614-5971
Email: schmidt@niagaracc.suny.edu
Location:  F131
Division Office: 716-614-6410

Steve Frey
Adjunct
CWI & AWS Board member

Anthony Bonura
Faculty of Welding
AWS Board member

Alexis Ridley
Part time T.A. & GRAD of SUNY Niagara Welding 2024
AWS Board member