Welding

If you like working with your hands and harnessing the power of extreme heat, our Welding training course is for you!



Get ready to LEARN. This home study course is packed with SO much great info!

Will this course teach me how to become a Welder?
Stratford’s Welding training program covers all aspects of working in this trade, from critical hands-on techniques, safety practices, equipment components and maintenance as well as career opportunities.

Students will gain a thorough understanding of:

shielded metal arc welding (smaw)

oxyfuel gas welding

gas metal arc welding (gmaw)

flux cored arc welding (fcaw)

gas tungsten arc welding (gtaw)

brazing, soldering and plasma cutting

Each of these methods is explored in detail, with strategies for fabricating various joints in several positions, preventing defects and inspecting welds.

» View the entire course curriculum now.

Can I really learn to weld at home?
This welding training course is designed to teach you all the essential information and fundamental techniques to learn about welding.

Our textbooks and study guides are filled with top-quality illustrations and detailed information that cover key aspects of the American Welding Society (AWS) SENSE Level-1 certification.

The best part is that you can study welding at home when YOU have time. All you need to get started a low down payment, then you can make affordable monthly payments. Furthering your education has never been more convenient or affordable.

  ✓ Course type : Self-guided with instructor support
  ✓ Total Number of Modules: 5
  ✓ Total Number of Modules: 14

Who should take this Welding training course?
   » Anyone looking to learn about/prepare for a new career in Welding
   » Anyone who likes working with their hands to fix, create or enhance a structure
   » Employers needing to train new hires or as a refresher for current employees.

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What is Welding?
Welders use specialized tools and equipment that use high heat to create, fix, and transform a variety of metal products across a broad range of industries.  

Welding Training Career Outlook
Welders offer a unique set of skills that are needed in a number of construction, industrial, mechanical, and manufacturing jobs across the globe.

Employment opportunities for welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers are expected to increase by 2% through 2033 with a median annual pay of $48,940.

While work can vary depending on location or duties, full and part-time career opportunities may include work with: Construction Companies, Manufacturing Facilities, Industrial Settings, Automotive Companies or Engineering Firms.

Some areas or provinces may require Welders to complete an apprenticeship and/or obtain a license. Please check with your province to determine what requirements you may need to obtain.

Why Choose Stratford?

Convenient
Our guided, self-paced instructional courses allow you to study when YOU have time. Everything you need to complete the course is provided with our all-inclusive tuition. And if you do need help, Stratford instructors and student service professionals are only a call or email away. Learn more about how studying with Stratford works.

Affordable
All you need to get started is a low, down payment and you can make interest-free monthly payments as you go.

Worthwhile
We have been in business for more than 32 years and more than one million students worldwide have enrolled with us!

Now is better time than ever to get the education you desire at a price you can afford. Why wait? Get started toward your brighter future today!

Stratford's Welding training course has 5 Modules and a total of 14 lessons.
This course is self-guided with ongoing support from instructors as requested. Once you successfully pass exams in one module, the next module will be made available to you.

Welding for Beginners
Module 1 - Lesson 1
An Introduction to Welding
Understanding the Arc
Filler Metal
Flux and Shielding Gas
Grounding Principles, Metal Inert Gas (MIG) Welding
Considerations for Studio Layout
Safety and Protective Gear
Overview of Equipment and Tools
Aspects of The Angle Grinder and Other Cutting Tools
Selecting, Buying and Prepping your materials
Hot Roll and Cold Roll
Preparing Metal
Changing the Grinder Disk

Module 1 - Lesson 2
An Overview of Welding Practices
Controlling the Puddle
Pushing and Pulling Techniques
Maintaining Comfort in the Work Area
Aspects of Hand Position; Managing Heat and Metal Thickness
Selecting Clamps for Tacking
Practicing The Draw
The Fundamental Joints
Fabricating Jigs and Introductory Projects

Welding Fundamentals Volume 1
Module 2 - Lesson 1
Welding as a Career
Job Types, Workplace Skills, Personal Skills, Evaluation Tests and Entrepreneurship
Further Safety Practices in the Welding Shop
Safety Data Sheets and Other Publications
A Brief History of Welding
Arc Welding
Oxyfuel Gas Welding
Resistance Welding
Plasma Arc Cutting

Module 2 - Lesson 2
An Introduction to the Physics of Welding
Properties of Metals
Effects of Welding
Common Units of Measurement
Math for Welding
Introduction to STEM
Whole Numbers, Fractions, Decimals and Converting Between Fractions and Decimals
Measuring Length
Overview of Shapes
Aspects of Measuring Shapes
Additional Units of Measurement, Estimating for Welding Work

Module 2 - Lesson 3
Further Studies in Weld Joints and Positions
Types of Welds
Weld Beads and Weld Passes
Joint Geometry
Welding Positions
An Introduction to Welding Symbols and Print Reading
Three-View Drawings, Isometric drawings, Title Block and Print Reading
Welding Symbols
Plug and Slot Welds
Spot Welds
Seam Welds

Welding Fundamentals Volume 2
Module 3 - Lesson 1
An Introduction to Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW)
SMAW Current and Polarity
Direct Current and Alternating Current
Equipment Assembly and Adjustment for SMAW
Aspects of the Welding Machine
Input Power and Output Connections
Electrode and Workpiece Leads
Understanding SMAW Electrodes
Selecting an Electrode: Type of Metal, Metal Thickness and Joint Alignment
SMAW in the Flat Position
Striking an Arc and Arc Blow
Running a Weld Bead
Drag Welding
Cleaning the Weld
Weld Defects

Module 3 - Lesson 2
Additional Positions in SMAW
Welding in the Horizontal Position
Welding in the Vertical Position
SMAW in the Overhead Position
Surfacing Principles and Surfacing Electrodes
Electrode Classifications
The SMAW Surfacing Process
An Introduction to Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW) and Flux Cored Arc Welding (FCAW)
Short Circuiting Transfer
Globular Transfer
Spray Transfer
GMAW and FCAW Equipment
Power supply and Wire Feeders
Welding Guns and Shielding Gases
Regulators and Flowmeters

Module 3 - Lesson 3
GMAW and FCAW Assembly and Setup
Operating the Cylinder, Regulator and Flowmeter
Aspects of the Welding Machine and Wire Feeder
Removing a Bird’s Nest
Selecting a Shielding Gas
Adjusting the Shielding Gas and Flowmeter
Electrode Wire Composition
GMAW and FCAW in the Flat Position
Handling the Welding Gun
Laying and Adjusting a Weld Bead
Making a Fillet Weld
Welding a Butt Joint
Welding Aluminum
Additional Positions in GMAW and FCAW

Welding Fundamentals Volume 3
Module 4 - Lesson 1
An Introduction to the Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (GTAW) Machine
Direct Current (DC) Welding and Alternating Current (AC) Welding
Pulsed Current GTAW
Voltage for Electrical Connections and Wiring to a Circuit Breaker
Selecting a Welding Rod Diameter
Distance of Electrode to Base Metal
Electrode Placement for Alternate Welding Positions
Full-Penetration Welds for Butt Joints
Flowrates for the Overhead Welding Position

Module 4 - Lesson 2
An Introduction to Plasma Cutting
Travel Speed, Dross and Plasma Gases for Gouging
Oxyfuel Gas Cutting and Welding Equipment and Supplies
Pressure Regulators
Single-Stage, Two Stage and The Regulator Adjusting Screw
Oxygen Working Pressure Gauges
Backfires, Sustained Backfires and Flashbacks
Preheating Orifices and Cutting Oxygen Orifice
Evaluating Welding Torch Tips
Welding Rod Diameters

Module 4 - Lesson 3
Aspects of Oxyfuel Gas Cutting Equipment
Operating the Positive Pressure Torch and Purging
Checking for Internal and External Pressure Leaks
Elements of a Neutral Flame
Lighting and Adjusting the Flame of a Welding Torch
Shutdown Steps for an Oxyacetylene Welding Outfit
Heating Oxyfuel Gas Flames to Ignition Temperature
Understanding Slag and Kerf
Torch and Hand Positioning
Employing the Backhand Welding Method
Work Angle, Drag Angle and Carrying a Continuous Weld Pool
Evaluating a Keyhole

Welding Fundamentals Volume 4
Module 5 - Lesson 1
Introduction to Resistance Welding
Methods of Applying Force to Metal
Controllers in Spot Welding
Common Electrode Materials
Electrode Tip Diameters
Understanding Current Density
Settings and Weld Schedules for Carbon Steel
Pipe and Tube Welding
Understanding Pipe Schedule Numbers
Submerged Arc Welding
Positions for Tack Welds
Travel Angles for Uphill Welding
Drag Travel Angle for Downhill Welding
Weld Passes on Alloy Steel Pipes or Tubes
Maintaining a Consistent Root Pass

Module 5 - Lesson 2
Introduction to Robotics in Welding E
lectric Actuators and Servomotors
Robotic Components
Understanding the Robot Controller
Safety Considerations in the Robot Working Volume
Special Welding and Cutting Processes
Transferred Arc and Non-Transferred Arc Process
Joining Dissimilar Metals with Friction Welding
The Advantages of Ultrasonic Welding
Welding Plastics with Hot Air

Module 5 - Lesson 3
Inspecting Welds for Flaws
Using Dyes and Fluorescent Liquids for Penetrant Examination
Tensile Strength and Ductility Formula
Free Bend Testing F
illet Weld Break Test
Determining the Hardness of a Metal
Welder Certification
Widely Used Codes for Welding
Understanding Welding Procedure Specification (WPS)
Testing to Become Qualified in Each Welding Position
The Importance of Experience in Employment Considerations
Understanding and Defining Work Orders

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This educational program is an introductory course designed to help students gain knowledge necessary for the vocational application of this subject. Completion of this program does not fulfill the legal requirements of particular state licenses or certifications, which may require additional training or apprenticeships. One or more of the course subjects/textbooks may vary as courses are updated.