This technical hands-on course is designed for those with no welding experience, as well as those who want to improve their skills and learn how to weld using proper methods. The course will cover welding of carbon steel using Oxy-Acetylene torches, SMAW (arc or stick welding), GMAW (MIG or wirefeed welding) and GTAW (TIG welding). Welding of stainless steel and aluminum can be covered as students progress in their abilities. Oxy-Fuel cutting and plasma cutting will also be introduced during the course. There will be the option to weld a small project of your own during the class. All equipment and consumable materials are included in the fee.
Recommendations and Requirements: Students must always wear safety toe leather boots, cotton pants and long sleeved cotton shirts. Turtlenecks are recommended for shirt type. All apparel should not have any holes or frays.
Students should consider purchasing their own PPE prior to class, such as safety glasses, ear plugs, and welders caps. Students can purchase welding PPE locally at either Haun Welding Supply or Airgas, which are both in Williston, VT. Mention you are a taking an Access class for 10% off!
The shop has welding PPE to borrow, but it may not fit properly and is used a fair amount by all students.
Minimum age requirement: 16+
"The welding class was terrific, and the instructor Wes was truly passionate about his craft. I went into the session knowing nothing, and walked out five courses later having learned four different welding styles, and I even completed a couple of projects on my own. I'll definitely be continuing this adventure."
"Wes was very detailed in his explanation and demonstration of welding techniques. By the second class we were all practicing welding with one on one instruction from Wes. I feel confident enough to tackle a welding job after taking this course."- Brian
Wes McEntee is a 2018 graduate of Vermont Tech where he got his degrees in Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering Technology. Wes is currently an Equipment Engineer for Global Foundries. Previously he spent three years as a machinist and a welder for Hayward Tyler Inc. and as the Adjunct Professor of Welding at Vermont Tech. Wes has been welding and fabricating since his first Metal Fabrication course at CVU during his freshman year of high school in 2010. He continued his passion for welding, while at Vermont Tech, taking their offered welding courses as well as founding and running the Vermont Tech Fabrication Club, and achieving his American Welding Society D1.1 Structural Steel qualification. Wes also competed at the national level of SkillsUSA for Job Skill Demonstration, where he gave a lecture on Welder Safety & PPE. During his time teaching at Vermont Tech, Wes took on additional roles as the Faculty Advisor for Fabrication Club and the SkillsUSA Welding Fabrication team. When working at Hayward Tyler, Wes became qualified to weld carbon and stainless steels in nuclear applications for the company, while also being a machine operator and programmer. In his spare time, Wes loves to weld, fabricate and tinker in his shop at home. Wes has also designed and fabricated his own log-forwarding trailer, and can be found at his happiest out in the woods running his chainsaws and forestry equipment.
Wesley McEntee
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