Byers Technical Institute

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Byers Technical Institute is certified to operate by the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia.

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Accelerated Welding Program

Classes will begin on the first Monday of each month (excluding holidays)

The Accelerated Welding Program is an eight (8) module course that will prepare a student with little or no welding experience for an entry level structural, fabrication welding position in a fabrication workplace or in the commercial/industrial construction field. This program also allows students who have previous welding experience to begin training at their level of experience by completing or challenge testing the entry-level modules and continuing their training in eight (8) additional elective advanced welding modules. These additional modules focus on the pipe welding and advanced blueprint reading skills and will prepare students for an entry level pipe welding position in the commercial/industrial construction field. Students will train in the Byers Technical Institute welding lab for 32 hours per week for a total of 14 weeks. At the successful conclusion of this program, the student will take two (2) welding certification exams (ASME/AWS).  Students who successfully complete the program will also receive an industrial/extended boom forklift operator certification and a 10-hour OSHA training certification.

14 Weeks | 448 Clock Hours | $5,500.00 - Tuition

$625.00 - Safety Equipment and Tool Pack
$750.00 - Testing Fee / Material
$150.00 Application Fee

Fluor employee and student Francisco Chavez-Perez practices his wielding skills on Wednesday, Oct. 15, 2014, in Oyster Creek. (J. Patric Schneider / For the Chronicle )

AWS/ASME Certified Welder

Certified Forklift Operator

OSHA 10 Safety Certification

Required Modules - Must complete to receive program certificate

Objective: To understand welding shop safety rules and use welding/cutting/grinding equipment in a safe manner that protects the student and everyone in the welding shop from injury.

Content: The student will receive instruction on rules for the welding shop and classroom environment concerning personal conduct and safety. The instructor will provide explanation and demonstration on the proper use of PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) required in the shop. Specific instruction on the use of hand and power tools will be given and each student will demonstrate the ability to operate each tool safely.

Testing: Students will successfully pass a written safety/personal conduct test before being allowed to continue in the program.

Objective: To safely set up and operate Oxyacetylene and Plasma cutting equipment and begin using this equipment to prepare various types of metal for the welding process.

Content: Students will receive instruction on the safe operation of Oxyacetylene and Plasma cutting equipment using manual and automatic processes. This includes set up and storage of this equipment. Students will demonstrate the ability to cut metal from 3/16” to 1” on plate and pipe. These hands-on skills will be used and developed throughout the duration of the program.

Testing: The student must take and pass a written and hands-on test on the safe operation of oxyacetylene/plasma cutting equipment before being allowed to use this equipment for the remainder of the program.

Objective: To understand safe work practices using SMAW welding tools and equipment.  At the successful completion of this module the student will produce quality multi-pass welds on fillet, lap and square grove welds in all positions using E6010 and E7018 electrodes.

Content:  This module will introduce students to basic welding terms and definitions as well as understanding the proper set up of power sources and equipment. Students will demonstrate the safe set up and operation of SMAW welding equipment using their Personal Protective Equipment. The instructor will introduce the student to various weld joint designs, electrode selection and welding symbols. The student will weld on each of these welding joint designs using E6010 and E7018 welding rods in the Flat, Horizontal, Vertical and Overhead positions.

Testing:  The student will be given 2 written test and 1 hands-on welding skill test during this module. The welding skill test will be scored by visual and dye-penetrant (PT) examination.

Objective:  To understand safe work practices using GMAW welding tools and equipment.  At the successful completion of this module the student will produce quality multi-pass welds on fillet, lap and square grove welds in all positions using the GMAW and FCAW processes.

Content:   In this module students will become familiar with the equipment used to produce quality GMAW and FCAW welds. Students will weld on multiple welding joint designs in the Flat, Horizontal, Vertical and Overhead positions.

Testing:  The student will be given 1 written test and 1 hands-on welding skill test during this module. The welding skill test will be scored by visual and dye-penetrant (PT) examination

Objective: Produce quality grove welds on 3/8” and 1” carbon steel with backing using the SMAW process in the Horizontal, Vertical and Overhead positions. Successfully pass a 3/8” carbon steel plate, open root guided bend test using E6010 and E7018 electrodes in the Horizontal, Vertical and Overhead positions or a 3/8” carbon steel plate w/backing, guided bend test in the Vertical and Overhead positions.

Content:  Students will continue to develop their skills with the SMAW process welding on 3/8” thru 1” single V-groove plate with backing and 3/8” open root single V-grove plate. Students will also be introduced to AWS and ASME codes and testing procedures.

Testing:  Students will be given 1 written test and 1 guided bend test on 1” or 3/8” single V-grove welds using carbon steel plates.

Objective:  To successfully pass a 1” carbon steel plate test with backing and an open root guided bend test on carbon steel plate using the GTAW and FCAW process.

Content:  Students will weld on open root carbon steel plate using the GTAW and FCAW process. Instruction will be given using GMAW-S and FCAW on 1” plate in the vertical and overhead position.

Testing:  Students will be given a guided bend test on carbon steel plate using the GMAW root and FCAW fill process.

Objective: To develop an introductory level of understanding welding symbols, basic lines, and views, dimensions and details used in construction and fabrication industries.

Content:  The student will receive instruction on forms of measurement, reading a tape measure, adding and subtracting measurements and a basic overview of fabrication, mechanical and structural drawings. Welding symbols will also be introduced in this module.

Testing:  The student will be given 2 written tests in this module.

Objective: To receive an OSHA 10-hour Certification

Content: An OSHA authorized construction trainer will give the OSHA 1926 for construction training class.

Testing: Students will receive the required written test in accordance with OSHA training requirements.

Objective: To safely operate industrial and extended boom forklifts on a jobsite.

Content: A certified forklift instructor will give 8 hours of forklift operations instruction using textbook, video and hands-on instruction.

Testing: One written and one hands-on examination will be given and certificate and operator's card will be given to students who successfully pass this module.

Elective Modules - Must complete or pass challenge test for required modules prior to beginning training

Objective: To understand safe work practices using SMAW welding tools and equipment. At the successful completion of this module the student will produce quality multi-pass welds on fillet, lap and square groove welds in all positions using E6010 and E7018 electrodes.

Content: This module will introduce students to basic welding terms and definitions as well as understanding the proper setup of power sources and equipment. Students will demonstrate the safe setup and operation of SMAW welding equipment using their Personal Protective Equipment. The instructor will introduce the student to various weld joint designs, electrode selection and welding symbols. The student will weld on each of these welding joint designs using E6010 and E7018 welding rods in the Flat, Horizontal, Vertical and Overhead positions.

Testing: The student will be given 2 written test and 1 hands-on welding skill test during this module. The welding skill test will be scored by visual and dye-penetrant (PT) examination.

Objective:  Successfully pass a 3/8” open root guided bend test on carbon steel plate in the horizontal and vertical positions.

Content:  Students will learn to prepare test coupons for GTAW welding and perform an open root weld using the GTAW process.

Testing:  Students will be given 1 written test and 1 open root visual and guided bend test on carbon steel plate.

Objective: To understand safe work practices using SMAW welding tools and equipment. At the successful completion of this module the student will produce quality multi-pass welds on fillet, lap and square groove welds in all positions using E6010 and E7018 electrodes.

Content: This module will introduce students to basic welding terms and definitions as well as understanding the proper setup of power sources and equipment. Students will demonstrate the safe setup and operation of SMAW welding equipment using their Personal Protective Equipment. The instructor will introduce the student to various weld joint designs, electrode selection and welding symbols. The student will weld on each of these welding joint designs using E6010 and E7018 welding rods in the Flat, Horizontal, Vertical and Overhead positions.

Testing: The student will be given 2 written test and 1 hands-on welding skill test during this module. The welding skill test will be scored by visual and dye-penetrant (PT) examination.

Objective: To understand safe work practices using SMAW welding tools and equipment. At the successful completion of this module the student will produce quality multi-pass welds on fillet, lap and square groove welds in all positions using E6010 and E7018 electrodes.

Content: This module will introduce students to basic welding terms and definitions as well as understanding the proper setup of power sources and equipment. Students will demonstrate the safe setup and operation of SMAW welding equipment using their Personal Protective Equipment. The instructor will introduce the student to various weld joint designs, electrode selection and welding symbols. The student will weld on each of these welding joint designs using E6010 and E7018 welding rods in the Flat, Horizontal, Vertical and Overhead positions.

Testing: The student will be given 2 written test and 1 hands-on welding skill test during this module. The welding skill test will be scored by visual and dye-penetrant (PT) examination.

Objective:  To successfully pass a 2” heavy wall open root pipe test in the 6G position with a GTAW root and SMAW fill.

Content:  Students will combine the GTAW and SMAW skills to weld on 6”, 4” and 2” heavy wall carbon steel pipe.

Testing: The student will be given a 2” carbon steel heavy wall GTAW open root 7018 fill pipe test in the 6G position.

Objective:  To successfully pass a visual open root weld test on 4” and 2” schedule 10 stainless steel pipe.

Content:  Students will learn the process of purging stainless steel pipe for welding open root welds on sch. 10 and sch. 40 pipe.

Testing:  Student will be given a visual open root pipe test in the 6G position on 2” schedule 10 pipe.

Objective:  To develop an understanding of mechanical, structural and fabrication drawings.

Content:  The student will develop the math skills necessary to succeed in the construction and fabrication industry as well as become confident in understanding drawing details, notes, specifications, dimensions and section views of mechanical, structural and fabrication drawings.

Testing: The student will be given 2 written tests during this module.

Objective:  To become certified in Adult/Child/Infant First Aid and CPR.

Content:  A certified CPR and First Aid instructor will give students the current course necessary to become certified in each skill.

Testing:  The student must pass a written and hands-on test for each skill to receive their certification.

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