Welding

Welding is an essential skill that supports manufacturing, construction, infrastructure, and fabrication industries. From bridges and pipelines to machinery and advanced manufacturing equipment, skilled welders play a vital role in building and maintaining the structures and products that power our economy.

Program Description

This comprehensive 22-week welding training program, delivered over two semesters, provides students with 126 total clock hours of hands-on and classroom instruction. Participants will develop foundational and intermediate welding skills while learning industry safety practices, welding techniques, blueprint interpretation, and quality standards.

Upon successful completion, students will be prepared to pursue NCCER Welding Level I and Level II certifications, enhancing their qualifications for entry-level employment and career advancement in the welding and manufacturing trades.

Welding I

Content focuses on welding safety, oxyfuel cutting, base metal preparation, and weld quality. In addition students will learn SMAW equipment and setup, SMAW electrodes and selection, SMAW beads and fillet welds, SMAW groove welds with backing and SMAW open v-groove welds. After successful completion of Welding I, you have the opportunity to earn NCCER Level I certification.

Welding II (Prerequisite is Welding I)

Content focuses on reading welding detail drawings, plasma arc cutting (PAC), GMAW and FCAW - equipment and filler metals, GMAW and FCAW - plate, GTAW - equipment and filler metals, GTAW - plate, and GTAW - aluminum plate. After successful completion of Welding II, you have the opportunity to earn NCCER Level II certification.

Program Structure

• Welding I
  • Duration: 13 weeks
  • Contact Hours: 78
• Welding II
  • Duration: 8 weeks
  • Contact Hours: 48
• Total Program Length: 22 weeks
• Total Contact Hours: 126

2026-2027 Class Schedule

Welding I (Fall 2026)

Dates: September 8, 2026 – December 8, 2026
Schedule: Tuesdays & Thursdays, 5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
No Class: November 26, 2026
Class Location: BOCES Bohlen Technical Center, 20104 NYS Route 3, Watertown, NY 13601
Tuition: $4,232.00
Registration Deadline: September 4, 2026

Welding II (Spring 2027)

Prerequisite: Successful completion of Welding I
Dates: February 2, 2027 – April 1, 2027
Schedule: Tuesdays & Thursdays, 5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
No Class: February 16 & 18, 2027
Class Location: BOCES Bohlen Technical Center, 20104 NYS Route 3, Watertown, NY 13601
Tuition: $3,194.00
Registration Deadline: January 22, 2027

Funding Opportunities

Classroom Training Grant
Funding for classroom training grants is available through The Workplace for qualified individuals. To learn more, call 315-786-3659 or visit their website. Please note that funding is limited and not guaranteed.

GI Bill® funding
VA Educational Benefits funding may apply for qualified individuals. In order to receive VA Educational Benefits students must see JCC Veteran Services to complete their VA application and to be certified. Funding amounts vary depending on the student’s approved VA benefit.

Who is eligible for VA funding? 

The VA determines eligibility of all VA Educational Benefits.  Servicemembers, Veterans, and their family members may qualify.  The VA determines if they meet all the requirements.  VA Educational Benefits include - Chapter, 30, 31, 33, 33TEB, 35 and 1606.

Traditional Army tuition assistance, Army Credential Assistance, SpouseWorks Scholarship, and traditional college financial aid does not apply.

Disclosure: In partnership with Jefferson Community College, this program will be fully delivered by Jefferson-Lewis-Hamilton-Herkimer-Oneida Board of Cooperative Educational Services ("BOCES"). BOCES is headquartered at 20104 NYS Route 3, Watertown, New York 13601. There are no additional costs students are expected to incur as a result of enrolling in the educational program.