I don't have any educational experience but I do suggest that you take a look at the industry thats available in your area. They may be a very good source for curriculum development. Also contact VICA (Vocational industrial clubs of America) and they may have some information. Also contact AWS, they have some programs for schools that are in development. The number is 18004439353.

Good day

Gerald Austin

Joe,
Although I am not an instructor myself I have had many hours in welding classes at vocational and tech schools. One of the first things that I was taught was to use the torch. The reason being was all of our steel was donated and we had to cut up the plates and beams to have something to weld on. As far as welding SMAW was the first step. We started with an E-7014 and just ran flat stringers side by side until the beads were acceptable. Then we were required to do the same with E-7018. Next was a fillet weld in the 1F position. As we progressed we went through 2F, 3F, and 4F. After the 4F we dropped back to the stringers on plate using E-6010, and proceeded to the 1F, 2F, 3F, 4F positions. All this was required before any groove test and I think most guys spent about a semester or so before groove welding. I am not sure what your capabilities are but one semester our instructor was out and they had a few volunteers from local tech schools come in to teach techniques. I hope that you can get some pointers from the AWS guys. Wish you luck, if it wasn’t for vocational programs I wouldn’t be where I’m at.

Joe,

The High School and Community College programs that I most admire can from time to time frustrate young students; nonetheless, I am persuaded the following is the best way to begin with (pre-apprentice) young welders.

1. Oxy-Fuel safety and Shop Equipment.
NOBODY lights a torch or strikes an arc until the principals of operations of each piece of equipment to be used are demonstrated (in writing and practically to you) with 100% accuracy. This includes any tools (grinders, cutoff wheels etc.)

2. Oxy Fuel welding and cutting
Any welder in almost any shop they may step foot into will be expected to be proficient with this. In a course that may last only one or two semesters, mastery of Oxy-Fuel will be of greatest value. Secondly Gas welding on thin mild steel is a way for welders with no experience to learn how to "See" a molten weld puddle and begin to control it, furthermore it allows students to get an inexpensive education in distortion control and the manual dexterity aspects of gas welding will be used as the students move forward later to GTAW.

3. SMAW 6010/6011 On thin mild steel develops skills that will transfer to other electrode types and processes. Tacking and arc control are often passed by when we are too quick to get out there and build something. Again the welders are compelled to learn what they are "looking at" and how to make adjustments in technique. A student can be quickly be taught to run beads with Low hydrogen (7014/7018) electrodes that look good but they may enter the workforce and be a disappointment to both themselves and their employer.

The above may appear formidable, but hey, that's just how the trades really are. Your local employers will appreciate an apprentice who has a fundamental grasp of Safety, Hand and Shop Tools, Power sources and Process. You and your students will both feel better when you KNOW that when they enter the working world they will not hurt themselves or anybody else due to the fact they were unprepared.

Beginners will learn at very different rates. This is why a competency-based curriculum is vital. When a motivated student demonstrates (in writing and in practice) mastery of a principal or process they may move to the next step. Slower students (or those who end up in your shop because some other elective was full) must be kept safe by a solid process of step-by-step accountability for each stage of training.

The textbook of choice for me is "Modern Welding Technology" by Howard Cary

I also appreciate the structure of the AWS "Level 1 Entry Level" and "Level 2 Advanced" welder qualification standards. The qualifications for each process and position may be used as part of your project plans, adding integrity and value to your program. Detailed expectations are provided for both the welder and the Instructor.

The advice to pursue a relationship with VICA is excellent.

Keep us updated

Lawrence

See the Hobart Institute of Welding Technology. They used to have a publication called "Recommendations for teaching Welding" that was excellent. Also see Lincoln Welding School. There is no shortage of Curriculum...that's what education does best is revise curriculum...not equipment just curriculum. You don't have to spend a ton of money to have a good program as far as curriculum goes. As someone has said, find out what your local Industry wants.

oops, see next post