AVTEC's Pipe Welding Program

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Alaska Vocational Technical Center

Welcome to the Pipe Welding program. Certified pipe welders continue to be in demand in the petroleum industry. Pipes not only transport commodities in Alaska, they are also used to build structures, affording pipe welders the opportunity to apply their skills in a variety of work settings.

Proficient pipe welders must be willing to work hard and spend time at their trade. Good physical condition, eyesight, and mechanical aptitude are also required.

Earn University of Alaska Credit While Attending AVTEC
Pipe Welding graduates may earn up to 12 University of Alaska college credits (depending on coursework completed) while attending AVTEC.

Program Content

To achieve a Pipe Welding certificate, students must complete the following requirements. For a detailed description of each requirement, click on the link below.

	Hours
O.A.W. – Oxyacetylene welding	23
S.M.A.W. – Stick Electrode	367
Related Studies	60

Emphasis is on making X-ray quality welds. Pipe welding students spend 90% of the day in welding lab and 10% in classroom instruction.

To achieve a Pipe Welding certificate, students must complete all required competencies and related processes. This is a total of 450 contact hours.

Certification

Students must successfully complete the ASME 6G pipe certification test to graduate as a Certified Pipe Welder.

National certification is available through the American Welding Society, an independent agency. This testing is an additional cost, and is performed in Anchorage. It is the student's responsibility to make transportation arrangements to the testing site. Contact the instructor for exact costs. In addition to earning the AVTEC Certified Pipe Welder certificate, students can also prepare for and earn the following industry certification:

Pipe Certification to ASME section IX, 6G Pipe

Entry Requirements

Pipe Welding is an advanced course.

For specific information on entry guidelines in reading and mathematics for this program, contact the Admissions Office at (800) 478-5389.

Physical requirements of the occupation are the ability to lift 100 lbs., carry 50 lbs., and stoop, kneel, crawl, and stand continuously. The work also requires good hand-eye coordination and eyesight corrected to 20/20 with excellent depth perception. An eye examination and glasses (if needed) are strongly recommended prior to enrollment.

Students must meet the following:

Be an AVTEC graduate as a Structural Welder.

OR

Have 2 or more years of structural welding field experience.

AND

Be certified to the AWS D1.1 structural steel code all position plate; within the last 2 years.

Documentation that you have worked in the welding field shall be provided by the applicant. The welding instructor will review your certification and experience for approval.

Prerequisites

As part of the pipe welding curriculum, AVTEC pipe welding students will first be required to pass an open root, all position, plate test using the SMAW process before advancing into pipe welding procedures.

Proficient pipe welders must be willing to work hard and spend time at their trade. Good physical condition, eyesight, and mechanical aptitude are also required.


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Program Content

O.A.W. – Oxyacetylene welding
Use oxyacetylene cutting equipment to prepare pipe for welding.
Return to Program Content Requirements

S.M.A.W. – Stick Electrode
Perform open root pipe welding in the 2G, 5G, and 6G positions with sufficient quality to pass the ASME guided bend test. Perform downhill pipe welding in the 2G and 5G position with sufficient quality to pass the API 1104 guided bend test. Prepare, tack weld and weld pipe in the 6G position using a backing ring; demonstrate basic skills in pipe layout and pipefitting fabrication; fabricate fittings from pipe; demonstrate basic pipe welding skills using GTA welding process. Also includes introduction and exposure to Flux core welding and blueprint reading.
Return to Program Content Requirements

Related Studies
First Aid-CPR, Welders math, job search training, resume writing and interview classes.
Return to Program Content Requirements

Mission:
To allow students with previous welding experience to acquire the necessary skills and knowledge to successfully pass the ASME 6G Pipe Welding certification test.

Length of Course: 450 clock hours, 75 training days
Enrollment: September and January
Training Hours: 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Monday through Friday
Occupational Levels: Certified Pipe Welder, Pipe Welder Entry Level, Pipe Welder Helper

Besides the standard training equipment available for basic welding students, pipe welding students learn to operate portable pipe cutting equipment. They also receive instruction in basic pipe layout.