Welding

Welding is the process of joining pieces of metal by fusing them together. It is the most common and efficient method of permanently connecting metal parts in the construction of automobiles, spacecraft, ships, appliances, construction equipment and thousands of other products. Welding processes differ in the manner in which heat is applied to the parts being joined as well as in the techniques dictated by the nature of the metals involved and the configuration of the pieces.

Gas welding uses a flame fueled by a mixture of oxygen and acetylene gases to supply heat, while arc welding uses the heat of a low-voltage electric arc. The nature of the metals being joined often makes it necessary to protect the heated area from the air, and different ways of providing inert gas-shielding (GTAW and GMAW welding processes) of the weld zone have been devised.

Chair

Clint Cassell
Gullette Technology Building
Carthage, Texas 75633
(903) 693-2059

Shelby Regional Training Center
Center, Texas 75935
(936) 591-9075

Professors

Brad Adkins
Clint Cassell

Areas of Study

Certificates of Proficiency

Welding Technology, Associate of Applied Science Degree
Basic Welding, Certificate
Intermediate Welding, Certificate

Mission Statement

Students at Panola College learn oxy/fuel, shielded metal, gas tungsten, gas metal, and pipe welding. These skills qualify them for a wide variety of welding jobs in manufacturing, construction and maintenance industries. Job opportunities for trained welders are expected to increase in the years ahead. The U.S. Department of Labor publication Occupational Outlook Quarterly states that “…employment of skilled welders will grow, and job prospects will be good.”

Job Outlook

According to the Occupational Outlook Handbook (accessed 3/11/19), employment of welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers is projected to grow 3 percent from 2018 to 2028 with 14,500 new jobs available. Graduates in the welding program find jobs in industries such as aerospace, ship building, power generation, construction, manufacturing, custom fabrication, defense, mining, industrial maintenance and oil and gas.