Welding students at Montana Tech's College of Technology in Butte can earn associate of applied science degrees in welding and metal fabrication technology, or certificates in welding for energy technology or welding and metal fabrication. The college also has established relationships with post-secondary schools so students and graduates have added educational resources, and it helps students with job placement. Welding students learn how to read and interpret blueprints; lay out, sheer, cut and assemble material; do semiautomatic welding; cut manually and with a machine; do fabrication design and operate equipment safely.
Welding students at Great Falls College of Technology can earn an associate's degree, a one-year certificate, or a several-months certificate that follows a semester-based curriculum. The college has a student-to-teacher ratio of 24 to 1. This two-year college, which is one of three, has an annual enrollment of 2,455.
Helena College of Technology offers a two-year welding program, an Associate of Applied Science degree in other precision metal working, or a one-year welding technology program, in which the graduate earns a one-year certificate. In the first semester students learn basics, such as shop safety, blueprint reading and job material estimations. During the second semester, introduction to layout and pattern making is taught, as well as rigging for welders, introduction to gas tungsten ARC welding, design and fabrication, shop practices and basic Microsoft Office.
Dawson Community College's Welding Technology Program in Glendive is a one-year program in which students may earn a welding certificate. The class sizes are small, and the students learn the basics of welding to qualify for entry-level welding and fabrication jobs. After completing the courses they have an understanding of standards set by the American Welding Society.