Waukesha County Technical College

This 9-credit technical certificate provides an entry point into WCTC's metal-fabrication pathway. Students complete two sequenced Gas Metal Arc Welding courses plus industrial mathematics and blueprint-reading work used in fabrication and welding. The certificate can be completed in less than one year, starts in August or January, and is offered on campus in daytime and evening formats.

This 19-credit technical diploma builds hands-on entry-level welding and fabrication skills through sequenced MIG and Flux-Core courses, manual thermal cutting, blueprint reading and metal-fabrication labs. The thermal-cutting course covers manual and machine oxyfuel cutting, plasma cutting and air carbon arc cutting. The program is designed for completion in one year and can stack into WCTC's longer metal-fabrication credentials.

This 33-credit technical diploma combines MIG and Flux-Core welding with progressive metal-fabrication work. Students learn manual thermal cutting and program and operate CNC cutting equipment, including laser, plasma and oxy-acetylene systems. Fabrication courses advance from shop fundamentals to complex assemblies using forming, layout and production equipment. The diploma is designed for completion in one year and applies toward the advanced associate degree.

This 60-credit associate degree extends the welding and fabrication pathway into advanced manual and automated production. Required work includes MIG and Flux-Core welding, robotic arc welding, manual oxyfuel, plasma and air carbon arc cutting, CNC laser/plasma/oxy-acetylene cutting, laser programming, advanced forming and fabrication, and a manufacturing capstone. Students use modern robotic Lincoln welding equipment and produce a personally designed fabrication capstone.

This 9-credit technical certificate develops hands-on industrial laser-cutting skills for production and machine operators. Coursework covers CO2 industrial laser operation, CNC cutting with laser, plasma and oxy-acetylene systems, laser safety and computer-assisted programming. Students also complete fabrication blueprint reading and mathematics used in production settings.

This 12-credit, two-year apprenticeship combines WCTC classroom and lab instruction with employer-based on-the-job training for State of Wisconsin indentured apprentices. Required courses cover two levels of welding processes, fabrication, robotic welding and automated cutting, along with metallurgy, troubleshooting and technical drawings. Prospective students must first obtain qualifying apprenticeship employment; the state coordinates the WCTC schedule.