Welding
What You Need to Know
Reignite your career, learn a new skill, or advance your welding expertise! Our welding program offers hands-on training with AWS certification available. Learn blueprint reading, fabrication, and safety best practices from experienced instructors and gain the skills needed to succeed in industries where skilled welders are in high demand—from manufacturing and construction to automotive and aerospace.
Program Highlights:
- Hands-on experience using industry-standard equipment
- Blueprint reading, metal fabrication, and welding safety training
- AWS Certification available to boost career opportunities
Additional Benefits:
- Flexible, year-round classes for adult learners working while learning
- Career-focused, non-traditional scheduling—traditional skills without the traditional hours
- Safety gear requirements: Protective gear provided; students must wear jeans without holes, long-sleeve shirts, and work boots (no tennis shoes)
Gain the technical skills and real-world experience to launch or advance your welding career. Start today!
About the Program
The Welding Certificate program prepares students to enter into the industry as beginning production, maintenance, or job shop welders. Students are trained in the latest techniques in fabrication of materials by welding processes. The Welding Certificate is designed to teach fundamental techniques and principles. The pathway also provides for an overview of related topics, such as metallurgy and fabrication, layout, estimating and repair.
Available Courses
Holiday Upcycled Welding (TRADE-38) 12/02/2025 - Clarinda
Clarinda Center • 2 Night Class-Tues & Thurs, December 2 & 4 • 6-8 PM
Celebrate the season by turning scrap metal into festive welded creations! This beginner-friendly class teaches sustainability and artistry, with hands-on instruction in safe welding practices, basic techniques, and material handling. Create holiday-themed decorations, gifts, or ornaments while learning how to transform discarded metal into something meaningful. Whether you want to make a seasonal yard display, a small sculpture, or a personalized gift, this class helps you build confidence in a new skill and explore your creative side. No prior experience is required. Please wear jeans and sturdy shoes. Bring a welding helmet & jacket, safety glasses, and gloves if you have them; otherwise, these will be provided. Feel free to bring scrap metal to upcycle into your holiday masterpiece.
Start Date: 12/02/2025
End Date: 12/04/2025
Seats Available: 6
Cost: $190
Location: Clarinda
Last Updated: 11/22/2025 5:08 pm
Intermediate Welding (TRADE-36) 01/27/2026 - Council Bluffs
Jan. 27-Apr 30, 2026 Tues/Thurs 6:00p – 9:00p. Iowa Western Community College 2120 23rd Ave Council Bluffs, IA 51503
Students will perform welds utilizing a combination of GMAW/MIG & SMAW (STICK welding) on multiple projects in the flat, horizontal, vertical, and overhead positions. As the class progresses, students will be introduced to several different electrodes as well as electrode sizes. With new electrodes/sizes, students will gain the knowledge of how to adjust settings for each, as well as for what position. Students will have the opportunity to attempt AWS certifications at the end of this course. Students will be briefly introduced to FCAW during this course.
Start Date: 01/27/2026
End Date: 04/30/2026
Seats Available: 7
Cost: $2850
Location: Council Bluffs
Last Updated: 11/22/2025 5:08 pm
Advanced TIG Welding (TRADE-39) 04/27/2026 - Council Bluffs
Apr 27-May 20, 2026- Mon & Weds 5pm – 9pm 23rd Ave Welding Center
TIG welding is a precision, high-quality welding technique that uses a non-consumable tungsten electrode. The term “TIG” (tungsten inert gas) references the non-reactive gas (usually argon) employed to protect the weld area from atmospheric contamination.
Examples of TIG (tungsten inert gas) welding applications include:
1. Automotive Industry: TIG welding is used to assemble exhaust systems, fuel tanks, and engine components.
2. Aerospace Industry: It is employed on aircraft components like engine parts, aluminum and titanium structural members, and fuel lines.
3. Fabrication Industry: For various fabrication projects, TIG welding is used to join non-ferrous metals like aluminum, copper, and others.
Start Date: 04/27/2026
End Date: 05/20/2026
Seats Available: 8
Cost: $885
Location: Council Bluffs
Last Updated: 11/22/2025 5:08 pm
Intermediate Welding (TRADE-36) 05/19/2026 - Council Bluffs
May 19-Aug 27, 2026 Tues/Thurs 6:00p – 9:00p. Iowa Western Community College 2120 23rd Ave Council Bluffs, IA 51503
Students will perform welds utilizing a combination of GMAW/MIG & SMAW (STICK welding) on multiple projects in the flat, horizontal, vertical, and overhead positions. As the class progresses, students will be introduced to several different electrodes as well as electrode sizes. With new electrodes/sizes, students will gain the knowledge of how to adjust settings for each, as well as for what position. Students will have the opportunity to attempt AWS certifications at the end of this course. Students will be briefly introduced to FCAW during this course.
Start Date: 05/19/2026
End Date: 08/27/2026
Seats Available: 8
Cost: $2850
Location: Council Bluffs
Last Updated: 11/22/2025 5:08 pm
Refunds: You may cancel your registration 5 business days prior to the start of the class date and receive a 100% refund excluding the $50 non-refundable processing fee. If contacting outside Iowa Western Community College’s Continuing Education Department business hours, leave a voicemail and or send the department an email. Iowa Western’s Continuing Education is not responsible for refunds if contact is not pursued via voicemail and or email. In compliance with the IWCC policy, refunds will only be produced in the form of a check. A check will be issued within 14 business days after the refund is admitted to the customer. Refund will be sent to the customer’s address that is on file. Certain program restrictions may apply. Contact Continuing Education for more details at ce@iwcc.edu.
Cancellations: Iowa Western reserves the right to cancel any class where difficulties arise in staffing or scheduling or where a minimum enrollment is not achieved. A full refund will be issued for all canceled classes.
Transfers/Withdrawals: Transfers may be subject to $25.00 transfer fee. Non-attendance for a class does not constitute a withdrawal and refunds are not issued for non-attendance. Transfers may be made up to two full business days (unless otherwise noted in the class information) prior to the start date of the class. After that time, transfers will not be permitted and no refund will be issued.