There are 10 lessons in this course:

1. Scope and Nature of Metal Fabrication

• Metal fabrication techniques
• Welding
• Occupational opportunities in welding

2.  Types of Welding

• Fusion welding
• Solid-state welding
• Dissimilar welding

3.  Welding Joint Design and Colours

• Types of joints
• Types of welds
• Other ways of describing welds
• Symbols
• Colours of welds

4.  Welding Equipment

• Welding current
• Operating voltage
• Types of welding power sources
• Welding machines by design
• Welding machines by welding type
• Welder & welding accessories
• Electrodes

5.  Workplace Health and Safety

• Best practices in different types of welding
• Potential hazards
• Workwear
• Fire protection
• Electrical safety
• Welding in hazardous environments

6.  Selecting & Preparing Metals

• Selecting metals
• Prepare the Metal for Welding
• Cutting Methods
• Guidelines for machine Cutting Metal Safely

7.  Welding Techniques

• Welding bead
• Push/pull
• Work angle
• Travel angle
• Welding speed
• Welding positions

8.  How to Weld

• Joint preparation
• Some common arc welding processes
• Stick welding
• MIG welding
• TIG welding
• General tips when arc welding

9.  Weld Defects & Repairs

• Types of weld defects
• Maintenance inspections & testing
• Repairing welds
• Welding procedure specification

10.  Other Metal Fabrication Techniques

• Properties of materials
• Choosing raw materials
• Metals
• Fabrication processes
• Shaping metals
• Assembling metals

• Explain the scope of metal fabrication and welding in building structures from raw metals
• Distinguish different types of welding techniques
• Explain the range of joint types that are used and the colours that occur in welds
• Explain different types of welding equipment in detail
• Determine health and safety provisions and practices to be followed when working with metal
• Explain how to choose and prepare metals for welding processes
• Explain different welding techniques and positions
• Explain how to weld different types of joints and how to use different welding processes
• Explain different types of defects and techniques for inspection and repair of welds
• Explain a range of other metal fabrication techniques

• Contact a welding organisation that represents the welding industry in your country or region to find out the types of welding jobs, the qualifications and/or skills required and the industries or areas where there are likely to be growing needs for welding professionals and related job positions in the future.
• Find out which guidelines for welding technical drawings are used most often by contacting an organisation or association that represents the welding industry where you live.
• Look for two or three examples of welds that show colours in the weld. Determine what the metals are and whether there is any corrosion.
• Visit a supplier of welding equipment. Ask someone to show you the accessories that they have that can be used specifically with your chosen type of welding.
• Choose a type of welding and visit a welding accessories supplier. Find out electrodes suitable for this type of welding, the classification codes on these electrodes, and their uses.
• Visit a hardware store or manufacturer of metals for fabrication. Find out the types of metals they provide which are suitable for welding. Focus on any coating, relevant dimensions, and cost.
• Obtain access to welding equipment and practice doing one string bead and three different patterns of weave bead.
• Interview someone who has practical experience with arc welding and ask them to explain how to create two different fillet welds and two different butt (groove) welds and ways of avoiding defects.
• Make a comparison chart for the different metal fabrication techniques used in your industry or an industry of you are interested in.

CAREER OPENINGS

Opportunities for careers in welding and metal fabrication are vast. The options and variety in what is made through welding and metal fabrication is by no means limited to the list below. – so much of our material world requires welding and metal fabrication ranging from basic tools and equipment to works of art and production. Metal is formed and shaped in different ways to form all sorts of things we use in our everyday life.

Career opportunities for skilled welders and metal fabrication experts can be found in some of the following industries:

• Aircraft Production, Automobile, Bus and Truck Assembly and Fabrication
• Armaments / military production
• Bridges
• Buildings
• Cutting Tools
• Dies
• Earthmoving equipment/cranes
• Engineering
• Furniture
• Jewellery making
• Art/Sculpture
• Machine toolsNuclear Constructions
• Pipes
• Pressure vessels/tanks
• Railways and Train Locomotives
• Ships, Marine, Naval and Boat Construction
• Spacecrafts
• Storage tanks

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Here is a list of the most often asked FAQ’s.

General

Q. Why should I enrol with the Academy for Distance Learning?
A. Here at ADL, our students are our priority – we treat everyone as a unique individual.

Q. Do I need to buy text books?
A. No, as each module has been written by highly qualified industry professionals. The content of the material is presented in such a way that text books are not required. However, if you require additional reading your tutor will be able to supply a list.

Q. What happens if I have to stop studying for a while? (eg. become sick, go on holidays, have a baby, move house, etc)
A. It’s OK to take a break and start up your study at a later point in time. Just let us know.

Q. Is there an age limit?
A. There is no maximum age limit. We do however, have a minimum age limit of 18 years. Below that age parental consent would be required.

Q. Are your courses up-to date?
A. Our courses are revised and updated on a rotation system.

Q. Do you have a Cancellation policy?
A. Yes. We have a cancellation policy that is fair and equitable. For further details please click here.

Q. Will I have any opportunity to engage with other students?
A. We have a Student Community group based on facebook! If you don’t have a facebook account already, you could make one just for talking with fellow students on the group.

Enrolment

Q. When can I enrol/start?
A. You may enrol and start at any time of the year – it’s all self- paced.

Q. Can I study from anywhere in the world?
A. Our courses are available to anyone, anywhere in the world from the comfort of your own home. The course content is relevant to any country, culture or economy.

Q. How long do I have to complete the course?
A. You complete the course at any time that is convenient for you.

Q. Completing a 100 hour module – how long will it take?
A. For some students a 100 hour module will take approximately to 3- 6 months to complete. Others take less time and some even longer.

Assessment

Q. Assessment – how does it work?
A. For each 100 hour module you are assessed by assignments (at the end of each lesson) and a final one and a half hour exam (or you may elect to complete a Project, instead of sitting the exam) – the choice is yours – you sit for the exam in your own location.

Q. I don’t cope well with exams – what can I do?
A. You may elect to undertake a Project (set by your tutor) instead of sitting the exam. Projects are completed from your home and can usually take a couple of weeks to complete.

Q. If my assignment is not up to standard is there an opportunity to resubmit my work?
A. Yes –

Q. How many assignments do I need to complete for each module?
A. At the end of each lesson, there is an assignment – so if a course has say, 10 lessons, there would be 10 assignments.

Q. I am having difficulty attending workshops/industry meetings, what can be done?
A. If your course requires attendance at workshops, conferences, or industry meetings; alternative arrangements can be made in your country.

Qualifications

Q. What qualification will I receive?
A. For individual modules, you would be awarded a Certificate endorsed by TQUK (Training Qualifications, UK), providing you complete all assignments and the exam. If you just want to complete only the assignments and not sit for the exam or finish a Project, then a Letter of Achievement would be awarded. For more details on qualifications available please click here.

Q. Can I customize my diploma/higher qualification?
A. Not all educational institution’s certificates /diplomas meet everyone’s needs. The opportunity to Design Your Own Diploma at the Academy (subject to our approval) is an added bonus, not found at other colleges. You choose modules that you think will help you in achieving your goal.

Q. What do I get when I complete the course? Will I receive a transcript?
A. At the completion of all courses and providing all assignments and exam requirements have been met, you will receive your Award and a Transcript.

Tutors

Q. Our tutors – who are they?
A. We appoint Tutors and require that they must be currently active in their industry, with at least 5 years’ experience in their chosen profession.

Q. Can I contact my tutor at any time?
A. Yes – you have unlimited access to your tutor via email through our Online Classroom. You can always leave a message with ADL requesting your tutor to contact you. You decide on how much or how little contact you wish to have.

Q. Practical work – How is this done?
A. To find out more about this part of the course please visit the section on How Our Courses Work here.