Virginia's Welding Technology pathway provides comprehensive training for one of the Commonwealth's most in-demand skilled trades. This program prepares students for careers in shipbuilding, construction, manufacturing, and industrial maintenance. With Newport News Shipbuilding, construction growth in Northern Virginia and Hampton Roads, and manufacturing throughout the state, certified welders are continuously in demand across Virginia.
The pathway progresses through sequential courses building skills in welding safety, oxyfuel processes, shielded metal arc welding (SMAW), gas metal arc welding (MIG), and gas tungsten arc welding (TIG). Students gain extensive hands-on experience with industry-standard equipment, learning blueprint reading, welding metallurgy, quality inspection, and professional practices. The curriculum prepares students for American Welding Society (AWS) certifications recognized by Virginia employers.
Virginia's Welding programs emphasize both traditional techniques and contemporary welding technologies including robotic welding. The state's diverse industrial base—from shipbuilding to construction to manufacturing—provides abundant career pathways. Strong industry partnerships, particularly with shipyards and construction companies, provide apprenticeship opportunities and direct employment. Graduates are prepared for immediate employment, advanced certifications, or welding technology degree programs.
Welding Technology at a Glance
4
Courses
6
Credentials
5
Career Paths
State Standards & Framework
Virginia's Welding Technology standards align with American Welding Society (AWS) SENSE standards and National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER) frameworks. State standards emphasize welding safety, welding processes, blueprint reading, metallurgy, quality control, and professional practices preparing students for AWS certifications and immediate workforce entry in Virginia's shipbuilding, construction, and manufacturing industries.
Typical Course Sequence
| Course | Code |
|---|---|
| Welding I: Fundamentals and Safety | 8542 |
| Welding II: SMAW and Blueprint Reading | 8543 |
| Welding III: MIG and Advanced Processes | 8544 |
| Welding IV: TIG and Specialized Applications | 8545 |
Industry Certifications & Credentials
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
Entry LevelSalary range: $47,700 - $64,010
Shipyard Welder
Entry LevelSalary range: $47,700 - $64,010
Welding Inspector
ExperiencedSalary range: $47,700 - $64,010
Pipefitter/Welder
ExperiencedSalary range: $48,260 - $66,830
Welding Supervisor
ExperiencedSalary range: $47,700 - $64,010
Work-Based Learning Opportunities
Students engage in apprenticeships with Newport News Shipbuilding, construction companies, and manufacturing facilities throughout Virginia. Work-based learning includes hands-on experience in production welding, participation in construction projects, and mentorship from master welders. Many Hampton Roads programs have direct pipelines to shipyard employment, while Northern Virginia programs connect with construction and infrastructure projects.
Career & Technical Student Organization
Students in this pathway can participate in SkillsUSA, gaining leadership experience and competing in career-related events.
How Sage Helps Virginia CTE Programs
AI-Powered Curriculum
Generate standards-aligned lesson plans in minutes, not months
Virginia Standards Built In
Pre-loaded with Virginia's CTE standards and frameworks
Teacher Customization
Teachers personalize content while maintaining standards alignment
Ongoing Updates
Curriculum stays current as Virginia standards and industry needs evolve
Related Glossary Terms
CTE Pathways
CTE Pathways are structured sequences of courses within a Career Cluster that prepare students for a specific group of related occupations. Pathways combine academic and technical instruction, providing a clear roadmap from introductory courses through advanced, specialized training aligned with industry standards and postsecondary opportunities.
ProgrammaticWork-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.
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.
AssessmentCompetency-Based Education
Competency-Based Education (CBE) is an instructional approach where students advance by demonstrating mastery of specific knowledge and skills rather than by accumulating seat time. In CTE, CBE aligns naturally with industry expectations, as employers value demonstrated competency over time spent in training.
AssessmentReady to Build Welding Technology Programs at Scale?
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