Mississippi's Welding Technology pathway addresses critical skilled trades shortages in shipbuilding, manufacturing, industrial construction, and pipeline work throughout the state. With Ingalls Shipbuilding, steel fabrication facilities, and manufacturing plants creating continuous demand, Mississippi offers excellent opportunities for certified welders capable of precision welding for diverse industrial applications.
Students receive comprehensive training in SMAW (Stick), GMAW (MIG), GTAW (TIG), and FCAW (Flux-Core) welding processes along with pipe welding, blueprint reading, and metallurgy. The pathway emphasizes safety, quality, and precision required for structural welding, shipyard fabrication, and industrial manufacturing.
Mississippi's Welding Technology programs incorporate NCCER welding credentials and AWS (American Welding Society) certification preparation. Students gain extensive hands-on experience in well-equipped welding laboratories while building skills highly valued by Ingalls Shipbuilding, manufacturers, and fabrication shops statewide.
Welding Technology at a Glance
4
Courses
8
Credentials
5
Career Paths
State Standards & Framework
Mississippi's Welding Technology pathway follows state CTE curriculum frameworks aligned with American Welding Society (AWS) qualifications and National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER) welding curriculum. Programs prepare students for AWS certification testing and Mississippi's end-of-program assessments.
Typical Course Sequence
| Course |
|---|
| Introduction to Welding |
| Welding Applications and Processes |
| Advanced Welding Technology I |
| Advanced Welding Technology II |
Industry Certifications & Credentials
- ✓NOCTI Welding
- ✓OSHA 10-Hour General Industry
- ✓OSHA 30-Hour General Industry
- ✓Forklift Operator Certification
- ✓Certified SolidWorks Associate (CSWA)
- ✓Autodesk Certified User - Inventor
- ✓MSSC Certified Production Technician (CPT)
- ✓MSSC Certified Logistics Associate (CLA)
Career Opportunities
Salary data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2024). Growth projections from BLS Employment Projections (2023-2033). Cost-of-living adjustment uses BEA Regional Price Parities (2023). Entry-level salaries reflect the 25th percentile; experienced salaries reflect the median.
Certified Welder
ExperiencedSalary range: $39,230 - $61,450
Adjusted for cost of living: $56,696
Pipe Welder
ExperiencedSalary range: $39,230 - $61,450
Adjusted for cost of living: $56,696
Shipyard Welder
ExperiencedSalary range: $39,230 - $61,450
Adjusted for cost of living: $56,696
Structural Welder
ExperiencedSalary range: $39,230 - $61,450
Adjusted for cost of living: $56,696
Welder Helper
Entry LevelSalary range: $39,230 - $61,450
Adjusted for cost of living: $44,942
Work-Based Learning Opportunities
Students participate in cooperative education with Ingalls Shipbuilding, fabrication shops, manufacturing facilities, and construction companies throughout Mississippi. Apprenticeships and summer employment opportunities provide paid work experience often leading to full-time positions upon graduation.
Career & Technical Student Organization
Students in this pathway can participate in SkillsUSA, gaining leadership experience and competing in career-related events.
How Sage Helps Mississippi CTE Programs
AI-Powered Curriculum
Generate standards-aligned lesson plans in minutes, not months
Mississippi Standards Built In
Pre-loaded with Mississippi's CTE standards and frameworks
Teacher Customization
Teachers personalize content while maintaining standards alignment
Ongoing Updates
Curriculum stays current as Mississippi standards and industry needs evolve
Related Pathways in Mississippi
Industrial Maintenance
Mississippi's Industrial Maintenance pathway prepares technicians for high-demand positions maintaining complex manufacturing and facility systems. Students master mechanical principles, preventive maintenance practices, and troubleshooting methodologies while developing expertise in hydraulics, pneumatics, and electrical systems. This pathway directly addresses critical workforce shortages in Mississippi's industrial maintenance sector. Curriculum emphasizes predictive and preventive maintenance strategies, safety protocols, and reliability principles that minimize downtime in manufacturing environments. Students gain hands-on experience with the variety of equipment found in Mississippi's factories and industrial facilities, from motors and pumps to complex automated systems. Graduates qualify for immediate employment with competitive wages at manufacturing facilities, utilities, and industrial plants throughout Mississippi. The pathway offers excellent earning potential and advancement toward supervisory or engineering technician roles.
Advanced ManufacturingPrecision Manufacturing and Machining
Mississippi's Precision Manufacturing and Machining pathway prepares students for high-demand careers in the state's growing advanced manufacturing sector, supporting major employers including Toyota, Nissan, GE Aviation, and Ingalls Shipbuilding. Mississippi's strategic automotive and aerospace industry clusters create exceptional demand for skilled machinists and manufacturing technicians. Students learn precision measurement, computer-controlled machining (CNC), manufacturing processes, quality control, and automation systems through hands-on training with industry-standard equipment. The pathway emphasizes precision, safety, and efficiency essential for producing components meeting strict aerospace and automotive quality standards. Mississippi's Precision Manufacturing programs partner with the state's major manufacturers for equipment donations, technical expertise, and work-based learning opportunities. Students earn NIMS (National Institute for Metalworking Skills) and MSSC (Manufacturing Skill Standards Council) credentials recognized throughout Mississippi's manufacturing industry.
ManufacturingRelated Glossary Terms
Work-Based Learning
Work-Based Learning (WBL) encompasses a range of educational strategies that connect classroom instruction with real workplace experiences. Activities include internships, apprenticeships, job shadowing, clinical rotations, and cooperative education, all designed to help CTE students apply technical skills in authentic industry settings.
ProgrammaticProgram of Study
A Program of Study (POS) is a coordinated, non-duplicative sequence of academic and CTE courses that spans secondary through postsecondary education. Required under Perkins V, a POS integrates academic content with CTE instruction, includes work-based learning, and leads to an industry-recognized credential or postsecondary degree.
ProgrammaticIndustry Certifications in CTE
Industry certifications in CTE are credentials issued by industry organizations or third-party bodies that validate a student's mastery of specific technical skills and knowledge. Examples include CompTIA A+, AWS Certified Welder, and ServSafe, which demonstrate career readiness to employers in ways that transcend state and district boundaries.
AssessmentCTE Concentrator / CTE Completer
CTE concentrators and completers are classification levels that identify how deeply a student has engaged in a CTE program. Under Perkins V, a concentrator has completed a specified number of CTE credits in a single career pathway, while a completer has finished all courses in a program of study, often earning an industry-recognized credential.
AssessmentReady to Build Welding Technology Programs at Scale?
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