Giving students more career choices, College of the Mainland now offers students an associate degree in welding. The Associate of Applied Science is in addition to COM’s welding certificates and will allow students to move up in the field or teach in many community colleges.

“The degree is for those who want to advance to a supervisory level or for the beginner who wants to improve their skills,” explained welding instructor Doc Miller. “It is one more welding class than the Advanced-Level Welding Certificate. All of the other classes are academic classes.”

The college will continue to offer two certificates – Entry-Level Welding and Advanced-Level Welding. Both can be completed in one year. The certificates give students the hands-on skills needed to pass employers’ proficiency tests and enter the workforce quickly. 

“There are jobs all across the U.S. in many industries,” said Miller. “It’s a good time to become a welder.”

Employment for welders, cutters, solderers and brazers in the Gulf Coast is projected to grow 26.7 percent by 2020, according to Texas Workforce Solutions. The median hourly wage for welders is $17.93. 

Students in either the certificate or associate degree program could qualify for state or federal financial aid.

To enroll in the COM welding certificate programs, students do not need to take placement tests.

For more information on the COM Welding Program, visit www.com.edu/welding or call 409-933-8454.