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
Welding Foundations & Techniques (AWS Certification Prep) (TRADE-36) 09/08/2026 - Council Bluffs
Class runs from September 8 thru December 15, 2026. Tuesday & Thursday Evenings 6:00pm – 9:00pm – IWCC Business & Community Training Center – 2120 23rd Ave Council Bluffs, IA 51503.
Students will build on foundational skills by performing MIG and Stick welds across multiple positions — flat, horizontal, vertical, and overhead. As the course progresses, students will work with a variety of electrodes and sizes, developing the ability to adjust settings for each process and position. Students will also receive an introduction to Flux-Core Arc Welding (FCAW). The course concludes with an AWS certification preparation and testing opportunity.
Closed-toe shoes, long pants, and cotton long sleeves required.
Start Date: 09/08/2026
End Date: 12/15/2026
Seats Available: 19
Cost: $2850
Location: Council Bluffs
Last Updated: 08/04/2026 4:56 am
Weld to Work (WLDWK-01) 10/05/2026 - Council Bluffs
This class is held every Monday thru Thursday, 8:00am – 12:00pm Starting Monday, October 5 and ending Thursday, December 17, 2026. – Located at the 23rd Ave Business & Community Training Center
Launch or advance your welding career with this comprehensive, stackable certificate program designed to take you from the fundamentals all the way through advanced TIG welding. Covering four progressive levels, this program builds the skills and certifications employers are looking for — all in one structured daytime pathway.
You'll cover intro to MIG (GMAW) welding basics and safety, NC3 Safety Certification, Welding Foundations & Techniques with AWS Certification Prep, and Advanced Welding: TIG (GTAW). AWS certification testing is hosted on-site and included in your registration fee.
Start Date: 10/05/2026
End Date: 12/17/2026
Seats Available: 14
Cost: $4900
Location: Council Bluffs
Last Updated: 08/04/2026 4:56 am
Weld to Work (WLDWK-01) 01/25/2027 - Council Bluffs
This class is held every Monday thru Thursday, 8:00am – 12:00pm Starting Monday, January 25, and ending Thursday, April 8, 2027 – Located at the 23rd Ave Business & Community Training Center
Launch or advance your welding career with this comprehensive, stackable certificate program designed to take you from the fundamentals all the way through advanced TIG welding. Covering four progressive levels, this program builds the skills and certifications employers are looking for — all in one structured daytime pathway.
You'll cover intro to MIG (GMAW) welding basics and safety, NC3 Safety Certification, Welding Foundations & Techniques with AWS Certification Prep, and Advanced Welding: TIG (GTAW). AWS certification testing is hosted on-site and included in your registration fee.
Start Date: 01/25/2027
End Date: 04/08/2027
Seats Available: 14
Cost: $4900
Location: Council Bluffs
Last Updated: 08/04/2026 4:56 am
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.