Cerritos College

FAQ

1.    I do not have any experience in welding, what classes should I start with?

• Students should start the program by enrolling in WELD 100 or WELD 120.

2.    I have some welding experience, what classes should I start with?

• If you have several years of experience, were previously certified, or have completed an apprenticeship program or another college or trade school program, please see an instructor for recommendations.

3.    Do I need a high school diploma or GED?

• No, you do not need a high school diploma or GED to take welding classes.
• Students may become certified and licensed welders without a high school diploma.

4.    What type of classes do you offer?

• Cerritos College offers classes and certifications in the most commonly used welding processes.
• The Cerritos College Welding Program offers the following special classes not offered at other  colleges:
  • WELD 39 - Welding Shop Math
  • WELD 50 - Blueprint Reading
  • WELD 53 - Pipe Layout
  • WELD 170 - Structural Fabrication
  • WELD 270 - Structural Layout

5.    What type of certifications does Cerritos College offer?

• Cerritos College offers eight different certifications.
• The most common and most important certification is the L.A. City Structural Steel Certification and License.

6.    How long does it take to be certified?

• A student starting the Welding Program with no previous welding experience can normally get certified in 3-4 semesters.
• Classes required to get certified include WELD 120, 200, 210L and 220.

7.    What equipment do I need to start in the Welding Program?

• Students must furnish their own safety equipment.
• New students will need about $120 worth of equipment.  This equipment will be usable for several years.
• Instructors will give each student a list of equipment needed on the first class meeting.
• Students will need all equipment by the start of the second week of the semester.

8.    What does it cost to take a welding class?

• The cost of the a class depends on the number of units the class is.
• Classes are $26.00 per unit and classes range from 1 to 5 units.
• Students must also pay the following additional fees:  Student Activity Fee, Student Health Fee, and an optional parking fee.  Costs of these additional fees vary per semester.
• Financial Aid is available for students that qualify.  Contact the Financial Aid Department for more information. 

9.    How much do welders make an hour?

• A welder with limited experience and no certification will earn a low pay rate of $10.00 to $14.00 per hour.
• A certified and licensed welder makes about $15.00 to $20.00 per hour.
• A multi-certified and licensed welder with blueprint reading skills and fabrication experience can earn $20.00 to $40.00 per hour.
• Certified union welders can earn an average of $28.00 to $46.00 per hour.

10.  If I want to make the most money as a welder, what should I do?

• Get as many certifications as you can.
• Learn skills in fabrication and blueprint reading.
• After you get certified in Structural Steel, continue your education and get certified in Pipe Welding.

11.  How does a person get pipe certified?

• Pipe welding requires some of the most advanced skills in the field of welding.  For this reason, only students that have achieved a Structural Steel Certification may take the WELD 52 and WELD 54L pipe welding classes.

12.  If I become certified, what companies would want to hire me?

• Graduates of the Welding Program work in many industries and with a variety of companies, unions, and city and state agencies including:
  • Los Angeles Department of Water and Power
  • The Gas Company
  • The Metropolitan Water District
  • Edison Power Company
  • Honeywell and Boeing Aerospace Companies
  • Disneyland
  • Arco, Shell, Chevron, British Petroleum, etc.
  • Local unions, including:  Iron Workers, Steam Fitters, Elevators, Pile Drivers, Mill Wrights, Electrical, etc.

13.  Do you offer welding performance tests and how much do they cost?

• Yes, we offer a number of welding tests and we are an L.A. City approved testing facility.  
• We offer the following performance tests:
  • AWS Structural Steel test in SMAW in the 3G and 4G positions.  Cost is $100.00.
  • AWS Structural Steel test in FCAW in the 3G and 4G positions.  Cost is $100.00.
  • ASME Section IX, 6" open root in the 6G position (uphill).  Cost is $100.00.
  • GTAW aluminum test in both the 2F and 3G positions.  (see note below).
  • GTAW stainless steel test in both the 2F and 3G positions.  (see note below).

     Note:  Students must be enrolled in GTAW classes to take test.

14.  When can a person take a welding performance test?

• Welding tests are offered four times during the semester.
• Please call the welding office to find out specific dates and times to make an appointment.
• There is no testing on Fridays or Saturdays.
• All fees must be paid and paperwork must be completed prior to testing.
• Detailed information and instructions will be given when all paperwork is completed.

15.  Are any of the welding classes repeatable?

• Yes, there are a few classes that can be repeated so that a student can get another certificate.  This includes the following classes: 
  • WELD 51L - Specialty Lab can be repeated four times.
  • WELD 54L - Advanced Pipe Welding can be repeated four times.
  • WELD 210L - Arc Welding Applications can be repeated three times.
  • WELD 240 - Advanced Gas Tungsten Arc Welding can be repeated two times.
  • WELD 250L - Gas Tungsten Arc Welding Applications can be repeated two times.

16.  What steps should be taken to ensure that the registration process is smooth and successful?

• Register for classes on the date and time of your scheduled appointment.
• If the class you are trying to register for is full, add yourself to the wait list.
• If both the class and wait list are full, come to the first class meeting and try to petition the class.
• When you have successfully enrolled, all registration fees must be paid in full within the first 5 days of enrollment.  You will be automatically dropped from the roster if fees are not paid in full.
• All students should be on time and present within the first hour of class.  Those students who are enrolled in a class but do not show up within the first hour will be dropped from the roster.  NO EXCEPTIONS.