Advantage Academy Welding Intructors are preparing students for an entry level career in the welding field, or to help guide them in further educational opportunities they will accomplish this by: 

• Teaching students the proper safety and housekeeping techniques required to work in their chosen welding profession.
• Teaching the students the proper uses and safe operational procedures of hand and power tools used in the shop.
• Teaching students the proper set-up and shut-down techniques and safe operational procedures for the welding and cutting equipment in the shop.
• Teaching students weld symbols and blueprint reading.
• Teaching students the proper techniques and procedures used to make acceptable welds in all positions with a variety of different processes.
• Teaching students how to make acceptable cuts using the Oxy-Fuel and Plasma cutting processes.
• Teaching students fabrication skills they will need for the jobsite.
• Teaching students the job seeking and employability skills required to find, secure, and hold a job in the welding field.
• Help students find employment in their chosen area.
• Helping students find information and resources that would help them advance their education.

Course content covers the knowledge and skills of (Please click the links to review the content)

• Welding 1 Semester Course Content
• Welding 1 Year Long Course Content 
• Welding 2 Semester Course Content
• Welding 2 Dual Credit Semester Course Content

Upon completion of this program students will be prepared for an entry level positon in the welding field.(  Welding Career Paths )Students will also have the oppurtunity to gain multiple cerifications: OSHA 10, AWS(American Welding Society), SC State Certification-Welding Technology, and Forklift Certifcation (Age of 18 Requirement to complete the physical driving portion) 

Dual credit opportunities are available through Florence-Darlington Technical College 

Articulation has been established with Florence-Darlington Technical College for 111, ARC Welding 1 and 104, Gas Welding and Cutting 

Students also have the option to "Test-Out" of  102,  Intro to Welding and  103,  Print Reading 1

Prerequisite: Algebra 1 proficiency skills. Level: CP Credit: 2 Grade: 10-11

Welding 1 is an introductory study of the basics of welding. This curriculum includes theory and practical applications of gas welding, cutting, and brazing. It also includes studies in Arc welding with a strong focus on practical applications in the shop. Safety is the first and most important area of study and is reinforced throughout the curriculum. (Student progress is tracked individually and advancement to Welding Technology 2 is by instructor recommendation only.)

Prerequisite: Welding Technology 1 and Teacher recommendation.  Level: CP Credit: 2 Grade: 11-12

Welding Technology 2 involves advanced studies in all common welding processes with a strong emphasis on Arc welding. Welding 2 students will expand their knowledge base into other areas of welding such as print reading, weld symbols, and weld testing (destructive and nondestructive). As students progress through the course, they can advance past the required course instruction into other areas of study. Welding 2 also includes a Senior Project, a culminating exercise showcasing a representation of what they have studied and accomplished over the 2 year course. (*Note: Students enrolled in the dual credit option must be recommended by the instructor(s). Limited seating in Welding 2 program. Students will cover the above standards and WLD 134 & WLD 113 in the dual credit option. Dual credit sylibi search can be found here.)  

Welding 2 is available for dual credit for students by recomendatin of the instructors and only after students have completed Welding Technology 1 successfully.  The dual credit for this program is paired with the Welding program at Florence-Darlington Technical College and covers their WLD 113 and WLD 134 classes.  Students that successfully complete Dual Credit courses will be awarded both college credit and high school graduation credit towards graduation requirements at both institutions. (The FDTC Dual credit sylibi search can be found here.)

Dual Credit (DC) Dual credit courses are defined as those courses for which the student may simultaneously receive a Carnegie unit as well as college credit. To enroll in these classes, students must meet minimum requirements determined by the college. See your counselor for a list of approved dual credit courses and procedures.

Articulation has been established with Florence-Darlington Technical College for 111, ARC Welding 1 and 104, Gas Welding and Cutting 

Students also have the option to "Test-Out" of  102,  Intro to Welding and  103,  Print Reading 1

Students will be provided the opportunity and the knowledge to be prepared for the following industry recognized certifications:

• OSHA 10
• AWS(American Welding Society)
• SC State Certification-Welding Technology
• Forklift Certifcation (Age of 18 Requirement to complete the physical driving portion) 

Students have completed WBL experiences with SteelFab of Florence. These experiences give the students an opportunity to "test drive" a career. This empowers the student with the knowledge that they love the career or that it may not be for them, allowing them to change course to a career that best fit them. Either way the student will save time and money. If they love it the student will already have experience, contacts, references for the industry allowing them to start earning money sooner and likely at a higher than entry level. If they don't love it the student will not waist any more time pursuing a career that is not a good fit for them.

A Youth Apprenticeship has been established through Apprenticeship Carolina. This opportunity provides students the ability to gain up to 2000 hours of paid experience and a certificate from the Department of Labor once successfully completed.

The Career and Technical Education Advisory Committees are made up of volunteers who agree to serve as advisors to one or more career and technical programs. Members include representatives from business, labor, community agencies, faculty, students and other members. The primary purpose of advisory committees is to provide direction and guidance for the specific career and technical area within the school to strengthen and enhance the success of CTE programs. By working closely with the business and labor communities, we continue to provide high quality workforce training and education to our students so they will succeed in today's job market.

The committees support and strengthen the partnership between business, labor, the community, and education. The committees make recommendations that will strengthen and help to expand the curriculum to improve the quality of program(s). Members provide valuable input in areas such as curriculum development, industry relevant certifications, student recruitment and placement, staff development, equipment and software recommendations.