8‑Week Welding Courses
Flexible, focused training to master core welding skills
Overview
California Welding Institute’s 8-week courses are designed for adults who want to gain specific welding skills without committing to a full-length program. Each module concentrates on a single process, such as MIG, TIG, stick, or pipe welding, so you get intensive hands-on instruction and immediate practice. Whether you’re exploring welding for the first time, adding a new technique to your repertoire, or building toward a larger certification bundle, these short courses give you the freedom to learn at your pace while still meeting industry standards. Start building your skills today by choosing the courses that fit your goals.
W101 - SMAW AWS D1.1 / L.A. City Welder Certification Structural Steel Plate
Prerequisite: None.
Description: This course is intended for novice, beginner and intermediate level skill welders. The course begins with instruction on oxyacetylene welding and cutting and safety procedures for gas welding, followed by SMAW surfacing welds in flat and horizontal positions, and fillet welds in multiple positions, with two different types of electrode. Towards completion of the course, the student will weld a series of mock tests in multiple position groove welds.
Objective: Successful completion of this bundle gives students the skills necessary for employment in structural welding, general maintenance and repairs and fabrication shops. Students who successfully complete the course will also be eligible to apply to take the certification test.
W102 - FCAW AWS D1.1 / L.A. City Welder Certification Structural Steel Plate
Prerequisite: W101 or equivalent Welder Qualification Test Record from our affiliate Advanced Weldtec, Inc.
Description: This course is intended for novice, beginner and intermediate level skill welders. The course begins with instruction FCAW-G surfacing welds in flat and horizontal positions, and fillet welds in multiple positions, followed by similar exercises using FCAW-S. Towards completion of the course, the student will weld a series of mock tests in multiple position groove welds.
Objective: Successful completion of this bundle gives students the skills necessary for employment in structural welding, general maintenance and repairs and fabrication shops. Students who successfully complete the course will also be eligible to apply to take the certification test.
W103 - SMAW AWS D1.1 / L.A. City Welder Certification Structural Steel Pipe/Tubular
Prerequisite: W101 or W108 or equivalent Welder Qualification Test Record from our affiliate Advanced Weldtec, Inc.
Description: This course is intended for intermediate level skill welders. The course begins with instruction on oxyacetylene cutting and pipe fitting, followed by SMAW exercises involving open roots welds (without backing) on simulated TYK branch joints on structural pipe or tubing to plate in the 6G position, using F4 electrodes. Towards completion of the course, the student will weld a series of mock tests in multiple position groove welds.
Objective: Successful completion of this bundle gives students the skills necessary for employment in structural steel building welding and fabrication. Students who successfully complete the course will also be eligible to apply to take the certification test.
W104 - FCAW AWS D1.1 / L.A. City Welder Certification Structural Steel Pipe/Tubular
Prerequisite: W102 or equivalent Welder Qualification Test Record from our affiliate Advanced Weldtec, Inc.
Description: This course is intended for intermediate level skill welders. The course begins with instruction on oxyacetylene cutting and pipe fitting, followed by welding on structural steel pipe using FCAW-G or FCAW-S. Exercises involve open roots welds (without backing) on simulated TYK branch joints on structural pipe to plate in the 6G position, using E71T-8 welding wire. Towards completion of the course, the student will weld a series of mock tests in multiple position groove welds.
Objective: Successful completion of this bundle gives students the skills necessary for employment in structural steel building welding and fabrication. Students who successfully complete the course will also be eligible to apply to take the certification test.
W105 - FCAW-S AWS D1.8 / Welder Certification Structural Steel Seismic Application
Prerequisite: W102 or equivalent Welder Qualification Test Record from our affiliate Advanced Weldtec, Inc.
Description: This course is intended for intermediate level skill welders who will work on moment connections, where welding is Demand Critical, the weld joins the bottom beam flange to the column flange and the weld must be made through a beam web weld access hole. The course begins with instruction on oxyacetylene cutting with the track torch, followed by exercises welding on simulated moment connections in the flat position, using E71T-6 welding wire. Throughout the course, the student will weld a series of mock tests.
Objective: Successful completion of this bundle gives students the skills necessary for employment in structural welding and fabrication. Students who successfully complete the course will also be eligible to apply to take the certification test.
W106 - GMAW AWS D1.3 Structural Welding Sheet Steel
Prerequisite: None.
Description: This course is intended for all skill levels, including novice. The course begins safety procedures for arc welding, followed by GMAW surfacing welds in all positions, and butt joins on 10 gage and 18 gage carbon steel and galvanized steel. Towards completion of the course, the student will weld a series of mock tests in the same material and thickness.
Objective: Successful completion of this bundle gives students the skills necessary for employment in decking and framing. Students who successfully complete the course will also be eligible to apply to take the certification test.
W107 - FCAW-S AWS D1.3 Structural Welding Sheet Steel
Prerequisite: None.
Description: This course is intended for all skill levels, including novice. The course begins safety procedures for arc welding, followed by FCAW-S (self shielded) surfacing welds in all positions, and butt joins on 10 gage and 18 gage carbon steel and galvanized steel. Towards completion of the course, the student will weld a series of mock tests in the same material and thickness.
Objective: Successful completion of this bundle gives students the skills necessary for employment in decking and framing. Students who successfully complete the course will also be eligible to apply to take the certification test.
W108 - SMAW AWS D1.3 Structural Welding Sheet Steel
Prerequisite: None.
Description: This course is intended for all skill levels, including novice. The course begins safety procedures for arc welding, followed by SMAW surfacing welds in all positions, and butt joins on 10 gage and 18 gage carbon steel and galvanized steel. Towards completion of the course, the student will weld a series of mock tests in the same material and thickness.
Objective: Successful completion of this bundle gives students the skills necessary for employment in decking and framing. Students who successfully complete the course will also be eligible to apply to take the certification test.
W109 - SMAW AWS D3.6 Underwater Dry Welding
Prerequisite: None.
Description: This course is intended for novice, beginner and intermediate level skill welders that want to pursue a career in underwater welding. This is preliminary training for underwater welding (wet welding). The course begins with instruction on oxyacetylene welding and cutting and safety procedures for gas welding, followed by SMAW surfacing welds in flat and horizontal positions, and fillet welds in multiple positions, with two different types of electrode. Towards completion of the course, the student will weld a series of mock tests in multiple position groove welds.
Objective: Successful completion of this bundle gives students the skills necessary for employment in structural welding, general maintenance and repairs and fabrication shops. Students who successfully complete the course will also be eligible to apply to take the certification test.
W201 - SMAW ASME Section IX AWS B2.1 Basic Pipe Welding Course - All Uphill
Prerequisite: W101 or equivalent Welder Qualification Test Record from our affiliate Advanced Weldtec, Inc.
Description: This course is intended for intermediate level skill welders who want to work in oil refineries and other process pressure piping. This course involves welding on 6” schedule 40 or 6” schedule 80 carbon steel pipe – all uphill welding. Exercises involve open roots welds on plate in the 3G and 4G positions, followed by welding on pipe in the 2G, 5G and 6G positions, using E6010 for uphill root and and E7018 for all other weld passes. Towards completion of the course, the student will weld a series of mock tests in multiple position groove welds on pipe.
Objective: Successful completion of this bundle gives students the skills necessary for employment in process pressure piping applications (such as in oil refineries). Students who successfully complete the course will also be eligible to apply to take the certification test.
W202 - SMAW ASME Section IX AWS B2.1 Basic Pipe Welding Course (Downhill/Uphill)
Prerequisite: W101 or equivalent.
Description: This course is designed for intermediate-level pipe welders preparing for employment in service and utility piping. Students weld 6 inch Schedule 40 and Schedule 80 carbon steel pipe using the shielded metal arc welding (SMAW) process. Training covers both downhill and uphill techniques: open root passes are welded downhill with E6010 electrodes and fill and cap passes are welded uphill with low‑hydrogen electrodes such as E7018. Welding exercises are performed in the 2G, 5G and 6G positions. The course also covers pipe preparation, beveling, alignment and fit‑up.
Objective: Students who successfully complete the course gain the skills necessary for employment in service piping, utilities and industrial pipe fabrication and will be eligible to apply for welder certification under ASME Section IX and AWS B2.1. A practical test is given and graded on a scale of 1 to 5; a certificate of completion is awarded to students achieving a minimum score of 3.5.
W203 - GTAW/SMAW Combo Welder Basic ASME Section IX, AWS B2.1 Pipe Welding
Prerequisite: W201 or equivalent.
Description: This intermediate-level course trains students to weld 2‑inch schedule 80 XXH carbon steel pipe. Students use gas tungsten arc welding (GTAW) to deposit the root and hot passes, and shielded metal arc welding (SMAW) with E7018 electrodes for the remaining passes. Welds are performed in the 2G, 5G and 6G positions. This course is designed for those seeking employment in process pressure piping.
Objective: Students who successfully complete the course will gain the skills needed for employment in process pressure piping and will be eligible to apply for ASME Section IX or AWS B2.1 certification.
W204 - GTAW/SMAW Combo Welder Advanced ASME Section IX, AWS B2.1 Pipe Welding
Prerequisite: W203 or equivalent.
Description: This advanced course trains students to weld heavy‑wall pipe using a combination of gas tungsten arc welding (GTAW) and shielded metal arc welding (SMAW). Students practice on 2‑inch to 3/4‑inch outside diameter carbon steel pipe with a 5/8‑inch wall. GTAW is used for the root and hot passes, and SMAW with E7018 electrodes is used for fill and cap passes. Welds are performed in the 2G, 5G and 6G positions.
Objective: Students who successfully complete the course will develop advanced skills for employment in process pressure piping and will be eligible to apply for ASME Section IX or AWS B2.1 certification.
W205 - GTAW Advanced ASME Section IX, AWS B2.1 Stainless Steel and Carbon Steel Pipe Welding
Prerequisite: W201 or equivalent.
Description: This intermediate-level course trains students to weld 2‑inch schedule 80 XXH carbon steel pipe. Students use gas tungsten arc welding (GTAW) to deposit the root and hot passes, and shielded metal arc welding (SMAW) with E7018 electrodes for the remaining passes. Welds are performed in the 2G, 5G and 6G positions. This course is designed for those seeking employment in process pressure piping.
Objective: Students who successfully complete the course will gain the skills needed for employment in process pressure piping and will be eligible to apply for ASME Section IX or AWS B2.1 certification.
W206 - Pipe Layout and Fabrication
Prerequisite: W201 or equivalent Welder Qualification Test Record from our affiliate Advanced Weldtec, Inc.Cal
Description: This course is intended for advanced skill level pipe welders and pipe fitters. For layouts, this course takes students through the basics of blue print reading of piping systems, measuring elevations, calculating offsets using trigonometry tables, calculating travels and runs, calculating fitting take offs. For fabrication, this course takes students through actual hands on cutting of pipe with a torch pipe beveler, tacking fittings and welding rolled out welds and fixed position welds in accordance to piping blue print.
Objective: Successful completion of this bundle gives students the skills necessary for employment in natural gas and petrochemical pipelines.
W211 - SMAW API 1104 Basic Pipeline Welding - All Downhill - Petrochemical and Gas
Prerequisite: W101 or W201 or W202 or equivalent Welder Qualification Test Record from our affiliate Advanced Weldtec, Inc.
Description: This course is intended for intermediate level skill welders who want to work on natural gas and petrochemical pipelines and related facilities. This course involves welding on 8” schedule 20 carbon steel pipe – all downhill welding using SMAW. Exercises involve open roots welds on plate in the 3G and 4G positions, followed by welding on pipe in the 2G and 5G positions, using E6010. Towards completion of the course, the student will weld a series of mock tests in multiple position groove welds on carbon steel pipe.
Objective: Successful completion of this bundle gives students the skills necessary for employment in natural gas and petrochemical pipelines. Students who successfully complete the course will also be eligible to apply to take the certification test.
W212 - SMAW API 1104 Pipeline Welding - All Downhill - Petrochemical and Natural Gas
Prerequisite: W211 or equivalent Welder Qualification Test Record from our affiliate Advanced Weldtec, Inc.
Description: This course is intended for advanced level skill welders who want to work on natural gas and petrochemical pipelines and related facilities. This course involves welding on 10” schedule 40 carbon steel pipe – all downhill welding using SMAW. Exercises involve welding butt joints and branch connections, using E6010, all downhill passes, and also downhill root and low hydrogen electrode uphill fill and cap .Towards completion of the course, the student will weld a series of mock tests in multiple position groove welds on carbon steel pipe.
Objective: Successful completion of this bundle gives students the skills necessary for employment in process natural gas and petrochemical pipelines. Students who successfully complete the course will also be eligible to apply to take the certification test.
W301-CS - GTAW Basic AWS D9.1 Sheet Metal Welding - Carbon Steel
Prerequisite: None
Description: This course is intended for novice, beginner and intermediate level skill welders who want to work in filming studios, automotive or other work involving non-structural sheet metal. Exercises involve welding butt and T-joints in the flat, horizontal, vertical and overhead positions, using GTAW, on 10 gage and 18 gage sheet steel.
Objective: Successful completion of this bundle gives students the skills necessary for employment in filming studios, automotive or other work involving non-structural sheet metal. Students who successfully complete the course will also be eligible to apply to take the certification test.
W301-AL - GTAW Basic AWS D9.1 Sheet Metal Welding - Aluminum
Prerequisite: None
Description: This course is intended for novice, beginner and intermediate level skill welders who want to work in filming studios, automotive or other work involving non-structural sheet metal. Exercises involve welding butt and T-joints in the flat, horizontal, vertical and overhead positions, using GTAW, on 10 gage and 18 gage aluminum.
Objective: Successful completion of this bundle gives students the skills necessary for employment in filming studios, automotive or other work involving non-structural sheet metal. Students who successfully complete the course will also be eligible to apply to take the certification test.
W301-SS - GTAW Basic AWS D9.1 Sheet Metal Welding - Stainless Steel
Prerequisite: None
Description: This course is intended for novice, beginner and intermediate level skill welders who want to work in filming studios, automative or other work involving non-structural sheet metal. Exercises involve welding butt and T-joints in the flat, horizontal, vertical and overhead positions, using GTAW, on 10 gage and 18 gage stainless steel.
Objective: Successful completion of this bundle gives students the skills necessary for employment in filming studios, automotive or other work involving non-structural sheet metal. Students who successfully complete the course will also be eligible to apply to take the certification test.
W302-SS - GTAW Advanced AWS D18.1 Stainless Steel Tube for Hygienic Applications
Prerequisite: W301-SS or -W301-CS/SS/AL or equivalent Welder Qualification Test Record from our affiliate Advanced Weldtec, Inc.
Description: This course is intended for intermediate level skill welders who want to work in hygienic applications. Exercises involve welding butt joints using GTAW, on 2 inch diameter austenitic stainless steel tube or pipe.
Objective: Successful completion of this bundle gives students the skills necessary for employment in hygienic applications (for example, food processing plants, water purification systems, pharmaceutical industry). Students who successfully complete the course will also be eligible to apply to take the certification test.
W303-ASH - GTAW Advanced AWS D17.1 Fusion Welding for Aerospace Applications
Prerequisite: W301-AL or -W301-CS/SS/AL or equivalent Welder Qualification Test Record from our affiliate Advanced Weldtec, Inc.
Description: This course is intended for intermediate level skill welders who want to work in aerospace applications. Exercises involve welding butt joints and T-joints using GTAW, on 16 gage and 10 gage sheet aluminum for Class A welds.
Objective: Successful completion of this bundle gives students the skills necessary for employment the aerospace industry. Students who successfully complete the course will also be eligible to apply to take the certification test.
Student Evaluation and Course Completion:
For successful completion the student shall take two practical welding tests in the 2G & 3G positions on 16 gage and 10 gage sheet aluminum and 2F & 3F positions on 16 gage sheet aluminum. The tests will be graded from a scale of 1 to 5. Students will receive a certificate of course completion upon successfully passing the test, which requires a passing score of 3.5 of higher.
W303-AT - GTAW Advanced AWS D17.1 Fusion Welding for Aerospace Applications
Prerequisite: W303-ASH or equivalent Welder Qualification Test Record from our affiliate Advanced Weldtec, Inc.
Description: This course is intended for advanced level skill welders who want to work in aerospace applications. Exercises involve welding butt joints and T-joints using GTAW, on 0.051 inch and 0.040 inch aluminum sheet, and 3/4” and 1/2” OD aluminum tube for Class A welds.
Objective: Successful completion of this bundle gives students the skills necessary for employment the aerospace industry. Students who successfully complete the course will also be eligible to apply to take the certification test.
W304-CS - GMAW Basic AWS D9.1 Sheet Metal Welding - Carbon Steel
Prerequisite: None
Description: This course is intended for novice, beginner and intermediate level skill welders who want to work in filming studios, automotive or other work involving non-structural sheet metal. Exercises involve welding butt and T-joints in the flat, horizontal, vertical and overhead positions, using GMAW, on 10 gage and 18 gage coated (galvanized) and non-coated carbon steel.
Objective: Successful completion of this bundle gives students the skills necessary for employment in filming studios, automotive or other work involving non-structural sheet metal. Students who successfully complete the course will also be eligible to apply to take the certification test.
W304-AL - GMAW Basic AWS D9.1 Sheet Metal Welding - Aluminum
Prerequisite: None
Description: This course is intended for novice, beginner and intermediate level skill welders who want to work in filming studios, automotive or other work involving non-structural sheet metal. Exercises involve welding butt and T-joints in the flat, horizontal, vertical and overhead positions, using GMAW, on 10 gage and 18 gage aluminum.
Objective: Successful completion of this bundle gives students the skills necessary for employment in filming studios, automotive or other work involving non-structural sheet metal. Students who successfully complete the course will also be eligible to apply to take the certification test.
W304-SS - GMAW Basic AWS D9.1 Sheet Metal Welding - Stainless Steel
Prerequisite: None
Description: This course is intended for novice, beginner and intermediate level skill welders who want to work in filming studios, automotive or other work involving non-structural sheet metal. Exercises involve welding butt and T-joints in the flat, horizontal, vertical and overhead positions, using GMAW, on 10 gage and 18 gage stainless steel.
Objective: Successful completion of this bundle gives students the skills necessary for employment in filming studios, automotive or other work involving non-structural sheet metal. Students who successfully complete the course will also be eligible to apply to take the certification test.
W304-CS/AL/SS - GMAW Basic AWS D9.1 Sheet Metal Welding
Prerequisite: None
Description: This course is intended for novice, beginner and intermediate level skill welders who want to work in filming studios, automative or other work involving non-structural sheet metal. Exercises involve welding butt and T-joints in the flat, horizontal, vertical and overhead positions, using GMAW, on 14 gage stainless steel, aluminum and carbon steel.
Objective: Successful completion of this bundle gives students the skills necessary for employment in filming studios, automative or other work involving non-structural sheet metal. Students who successfully complete the course will also be eligible to apply to take the certification test.
W305-CM/AL - GTAW Advanced AWS D8.8 Automotive Welding - Chrome Moly/Aluminum
Prerequisite: W301AL or W301 CS/A:/SS or equivalent Welder Qualification Test Record from our affiliate Advanced Weldtec, Inc.
Description: This course is intended for advanced level skill welders who want to work in automotive applications. Exercises involve welding butt joints and branch connections using GTAW on 4130 Chrome Moly tubing and aluminum tubing.
Objective: Successful completion of this course gives students the skills necessary for employment the automative industry. Students who successfully complete the course will also be eligible to apply to take the certification test.
W306-CS/AL/SS - GMAW I-CAR Welding
Prerequisite: W304-CS/AL/SS or equivalent Welder Qualification Test Record from our affiliate Advanced Weldtec, Inc.
Description: This course is intended for intermediate level skill welders who want to work automotive body shops. Exercises involve welding butt joints open root and also with backing, lap joints and plug welds, using GMAW, on 16 gage stainless steel, carbon steel, and aluminum.
Objective: Successful completion of this bundle gives students the skills necessary for employment in automotive body shops.