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Program Overview
Students in the Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW) Embedded Technical Diploma develop an understanding of interpreting engineering drawings or blueprints, fundamental skills setting up and operating Gas Metal Arc Welding equipment and math functions used in a welding manufacturing environment. Students develop skills learning and applying industry accepted safe working practices and communication strategies commonly used in a welding manufacturing environment. The knowledge and skills learned provide students a foundation for pursuing careers and/or further education in welding manufacturing or metal fabrication. As a student in the Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW) at Madison College, you will:
- Learn to follow safety work practices.
- Interpret drawings.
- Understand and apply basic welding symbols.
- Perform simple layout operations.
- Set-up and operate Gas Metal Arc Welding equipment and simple welding fit-up and tack welding functions.
- Weld in production environment.
Program Details
Students in the Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW) program can attend part time.
Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW) classes may be offered at these Madison College campuses:
- Portage
Careers
Earning your Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW) Embedded Technical Diploma at Madison Area Technical College prepares you for valuable work as a:
- Maintenance Welder
- Qualified Welder
- Structural Welder
- Welder/Fabricator
- Production Welder
- Ironworker Apprentice
- Steamfitter Apprentice
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Curriculum and Experience
Prospective program students, the information below reflects the basic requirements for students admitted for the 202-2026 academic year. To learn more about Madison College, visit us.
Current and newly admitted program students, go directly to your Degree Progress Report to view:
- Progress toward your specific requirements
- Alternative (in lieu of) courses to meet specific requirements
If you have questions after reviewing your degree progress report (advisement report), please see Advising Services.
Courses -
Admission
To Apply
Earning a degree is a great way to advance your career development opportunities, so apply today!
International students who wish to apply for, maintain, or transfer their F-1 student visa status to Madison College are required to complete the International Admission Process.Note: It is recommended to only apply for a semester that has already started if you are currently enrolled in classes or you have verified that classes are still available for that semester.
Application Dates
Fall 2025
- Application open
- Application completion deadline is November 15, 2025
Spring 2026
- Application open
- Application completion deadline is April 15, 2026
Admission Requirements
All materials must be submitted by the application deadline.
1. Admission Application
The online application allows you to save your work as you complete it and ensures fast, secure delivery to our office.
2. Education Completion
Submit official transcripts from the institutions you attended that indicate one of the following:
- High school completion (current high school seniors may submit an in-progress transcript)
- GED/HSED completion
- College transcript or Madison College experience showing:
- Completion of an associate degree or higher, or
- At least 30 credits completed with a minimum GPA of 2.0 on a 4-point scale
- The credits must be completed at a single college and cannot be combined with other transcripts
- Any transfer credit listed on a transcript does not count toward the 30-credit minimum
- Credits completed at Madison College are evaluated and do not require a transcript
All high school and/or college transcripts are recommended to be submitted for Credit for Prior Learning evaluation.
Additional Notes- Class capacity is limited and is available on a first come, first served basis.
- Course prerequisites differ from admission requirements; admission into a program does not guarantee eligibility to enroll in courses or success in the program. Refer to program curriculum for details.
After Acceptance
Once you are admitted into your program, review the Start of Semester Checklist to prepare for your first day of classes at Madison College.
Questions?
Contact the Enrollment Center at EnrollmentServices@madisoncollege.edu or 608.246.6210.
Get Started!
Apply to Madison College and take the first step towards your Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW) career.
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Career Outcomes
Earning your Embedded Technical Diploma in Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW) program at Madison Area Technical College prepares you for valuable work as:
- Helpers—Production Workers.
- Entry level or helper roles in the manufacturing industry.
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Graduate Summary
Graduate Report Summary Overview
2022 2023 2024 Number of Program Graduates 37 43 47 Number of Surveys Sent 37 43 47 Number of Surveys Returned 9 26 26 Percent of Surveys Returned Available for Employment 1 20 17 Percent Available for Employment 11.1% 76.9% 65.4% Not in Labor Market Percent Not in Labor Market 77.8% 23.1% 30.8% Available for Employment
2022 2023 2024 Graduates Employed 1 17 15 Percent of Graduates Employed 100.0% 85.0% 88.2% Employed in Related Occupation 1 16 12 Percent Employed in Related Occupation 100.0% 94.1% 80.0% Employed in Unrelated Occupation 0 1 2 Percent Employed in Unrelated Occupation 0.0% 5.9% 13.3% Employed - No Response 0 0 1 Percent Employed - No Response 0.0% 0.0% 6.7% Seeking Employment 0 3 2 Percent Seeking Employment 0.0% 15.0% 11.8% Reaction To Training at Madison College
2022 2023 2024 Student satisfaction Mean (Out of 4) 4 3.8 3.6 Number of Satisfaction Responses 1 21 20 Very Satisfied (4) 1 16 13 Percent Very Satisfied 100.0% 76.2% 65.0% Satisfied (3) 0 5 6 Percent Satisfied 0.0% 23.8% 30.0% Unsatisfied (2) 0 0 1 Percent Unsatisfied 0.0% 0.0% 5.0% Very Unsatisfied (1) Percent Very Unsatisfied 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% Primary Reason for Attending Madison College
2022 2023 2024 Number of Primary Reason Responses 8 26 26 Preparation for Getting a Job Percent Preparation for Getting a Job Career Change Percent Career Change Improvement of Existing Skills Percent Improvement of Existing Skills Preparation for Further Education Percent Preparation for Further Education Personal Interest Percent Personal Interest Other Percent Other 0.0% 0.0% 3.8% When Employment was Obtained
2022 2023 2024 Number of When Employment Obtained Responses 1 17 14 Before Enrollment 0 2 2 Percent Before Enrollment 0.0% 11.8% 14.3% While Attending the College 1 1 2 Percent While Attending the College 100.0% 5.9% 14.3% After Training at the College 0 14 10 Percent After Training at the College 0.0% 82.4% 71.4% Location of Employment (related and unrelated)
2022 2023 2024 Number of Employment Location Responses 2 17 16 In College District 1 14 13 Percent In College District 50.0% 82.4% 81.3% In Wisconsin, Not in District 0 3 1 Percent of In Wisconsin 0.0% 17.6% 6.3% Outside of Wisconsin 0 0 0 Percent Outside Wisconsin 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% Employer Location Unknown 1 0 2 Percent Location Unknown 50.0% 0.0% 12.5% Salary Trend 2022 2023 2024 Full Time Employment (Related Job) Full Time Salary Count 1 13 10 Average Monthly Wage $5,706 $4,176 $4,127 Average Hourly Wage $33.18 $24.28 $23.99 Average Work Hours per Week 40.0 43.9 43.1 Part Time Employment (Related Job) Part Time Salary Count Average Hourly Wage Average Work Hours per Week -
Graduate Employers
Graduate Employers for academic year: 2024 Employer(s) Job Title City* State** Positions Burke Truck & Equipment Welder/Fabricator Burke DRM Industries Welder Barboo Food Process Systems Tig Welder/Fabricator Lodi Graber Manufacturing Welder Waunakee North American Mechanical Inc Pipe Shop Welding Assistant Windsor Plastic Ingenuity Inc Fabricator Cross Plains Space Saver Company Welder Fort Atkinson 2 Trachte Building Systems Inc Welder Sun Prairie United Alloy Welder Janesville * - Only cities outside of Madison will display.
** - Only states outside of Wisconsin will display.
*** - If you have a position to post, please contact Career and Employment Services at jobpostings@madisoncollege.edu
