Program Overview

Students in our Agricultural Technology program acquire knowledge and skills related to mechanized agricultural systems with an emphasis on welding. Students begin by learning about workplace safety and earning their OSHA certification before moving into basic metal skills.  In the shop, students begin by learning to cut metal with the oxyfuel torch, then spend most of the year mastering shielded metal arc welding (SMAW) across a range of rods, joints, and positions.

In Year 2 in the program, students begin the year by reviewing skills from Year 1 and have the opportunity to become a certified welder (see below).  As the year progresses, they become proficient in Metal Inert Gas (MIG) welding, which is  a wire-feed process.  In the spring and moving into Year 3, students also apply learned skills for fabrication.

After completion of the program, many students choose to continue their learning at Austin Community College or find employment with one of our local trade unions.

Course Sequence

Year 1, Semester 1: Agricultural Mechanics & Metal Technologies

Year 1, Semester 2: Agricultural Structures Design & Fabrication *offered as Articulated Credit with Austin Community College

Year 2: Agricultural Equipment Design & Fabrication

Year 3: Practicum in Agriculture, Food & Natural Resources and/or Career Preparation

Certifications

Year 1: Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) 10-Hour

Year 2: American Welding Society D9.1 Sheet Metal Welding