Aims Community College Introduces a Weekend Welding Program in 2024

Aims has held welding classes in Greeley since 1968 and expanded to the Fort Lupton Campus in 2015. The program has experienced incredible growth over the past few years. Since 2017, the number of welding faculty has tripled to 20 full-time and part-time instructors. The welding labs on both the Greeley and Fort Lupton campuses have been recently expanded, remodeled, and updated with the latest technologies to ensure a highly skilled workforce.

Due to the high demand to enter this popular program, students are often placed on a waitlist before taking a welding class. The average wait time to begin welding classes at Aims is two semesters. Adding a weekend option will expand student capacity, cut waitlist duration, and provide more flexibility for learners who may work during the week.

Aims offers a Welding Technology Associate of Applied Science degree and certificates that cover specific welding techniques:

• Welding Technician Certificate
• Metal Fabrication Certificate
• Pipe Welding Certificate
• Arc Welding Processes Certificate
• Metal Cutting and Gouging Certificate

The welding facilities at Aims are equipped with industry-standard welding and cutting equipment specific to the processes taught in the curriculum. Aims also invests in the latest welding technology,  such as industry-leading software and hardware, with the X-Definition accu-kut CNC plasma cutting table from AKS Cutting Systems.

The welding program at Aims teaches technical prowess and soft skills employers want, such as attention to detail, professionalism and the patience to follow through with complex and challenging projects. Department Chair and Professor of Welding Technology Cody Jones sees welding as an opportunity for mechanically inclined people seeking to join a highly desirable trade. “About half of our students are working in the field before graduation,” Jones said. “If a welder wants a job, they can find one often within 48 hours.” 

There is a nationwide shortage of welders. According to the American Welding Society, 360,000 new welding professionals are projected to be needed by 2027. This is due to industry growth and anticipated attrition of professionals retiring, advancing or changing industries. More than 155,000 welders are approaching retirement. 

Learn how to enter the Aims Welding Technology program or get more information at aims.co/welding.