Metal Fabrication Technology

Associate of Applied Science Degree (A.A.S.)
metal fab student

About this program

Tomorrow needs skilled workers with technical know-how. When you define your future at Penn College, you'll take on the exact skills that employers want most. This industry-driven program delivers competitive-edge training in welding, machining, and sheet metal fabrication. Small class sizes. Strong industry connections. And opportunities to earn dual degrees in related areas take career prospects to even greater heights!

Next steps...

You're on your way to becoming a tomorrow maker.

20+

Hours Per Week of Hands-on Time in Labs

Earn Industry Certifications

Master Welding, Machining, & Sheet Metal Processes

Careers

  • Metal fabricator
  • Production technician 
  • Assembler 
Courses

At Penn College, we believe your educational experience should go beyond specialized skills. Real-world ready means taking a broader approach that builds communication skills, inspires collaboration, and encourages exploration of arts, history, and science.

​​Specialization requires in-depth knowledge and high-level proficiency. Students learn and apply major-specific concepts, skills, and methods.

  • Mill Applications (MTT128)
  • Lathe Applications (MTT129)
  • Welding Blueprint & Layout (WEL102)
  • Machine Tool Applications (MTT213)
  • Introduction to Metallurgy (MSC106)
  • Fixture Design & Fabrication (MTT222)
  • Basic CNC Programming (WEL240)
  • Introduction to CAD/CAM (CIM102)
  • CNC Machining & Programming I (CIM104)
  • Flux Cored I (WEL132)
  • Shielded Metal Arc I (WEL114)
  • Flux Cored II (WEL136)
  • Shielded Metal Arc II (WEL116)
  • Welding Blueprint & Layout II (WEL252) or
  • Sheet Metal Forming & Fabrication (MTT130)
  • Gas Metal Arc I (WEL120)
  • Gas Tungsten Arc I (WEL123)
  • Gas Metal Arc II (WEL124)
  • Gas Tungsten Arc II (WEL129)

​Perspectives are points of view, offering a variety of ways of understanding, interacting, and influencing the world. Students identify, explain, and utilize the approaches used by academics and professionals to study, analyze, or understand problems, and offer solutions.

  • Core Arts Perspective (ARP) or
  • Core Applied Arts Perspective (AAP) or
  • Core Global & Cultural Diversity Perspective (CDP) or
  • Core Historical Perspective (HIP) or
  • Social Science Elective (SSE)

​​Foundations are the practical, intellectual, and social skills: communication, collaboration, critical and ethical thinking, quantitative thinking, and technological literacy that are crucial to every student at every stage of education and at every stage of life.

  • Information, Technology & Society (CSC124)
  • Technical Algebra & Trigonometry I (MTH123) or
  • College Algebra & Trigonometry I (MTH181)
  • English Composition I (ENL111)
  • Technical & Professional Communication (ENL201)
Featured Video

Metal Fabrication Technology

Students learn foundational skills in machining and welding, preparing them for a variety of rewarding manufacturing careers.

Tour Schedule

Seeing is believing.

Think Penn College might be a good fit for you? Make plans to visit and discover what hands-on learning is all about.

Oct 7

Undergraduate Open House

Saturday, October 7 8:30 AM - 3 PM

Nov 5

Undergraduate Open House

Sunday, November 5 8:30 AM - 3 PM

More tour dates are on the way.

But let's customize a tour for you now. Call, chat, or email for options.

Need a different date?

Let's customize a tour for you now. Call, chat, or email for options.

Contact

Admissions Office

Student Projects
Hands-on Learning

Student Projects

Nate Filion, Metal Fabrication Technology, makes a cup holder for his 1953 Ford F100.

Student Projects
Hands-on Learning

Student Projects

Josh Safko, Metal Fabrication Technology, works to repair the gas tank of his motorcycle.

Student Projects
Hands-on Learning

Student Projects

Riley Cotner, Engineering Design Technology, and Jesse Rush, Welding & Fabrication Engineering Technology & Metal Fabrication Technology, collaborate to turn bomber seats into bar stools.

Student Projects
Hands-on Learning

Student Projects

Zachary King, Welding & Fabrication Engineering Technology, works on a ¼ scale Jaguar XK rear fender.

Student Projects
Hands-one Learning

Student Projects

Dan Gerard, Automated Manufacturing Technology, works on the sheet metal body parts for a front engine dragster, which will eventually compete in races.

Student Projects
Hands-on Learning

Student Projects

Trevor North, Welding & Fabrication Engineering Technology, works to replace a quarter panel for an Austin Healey Sprite.

Larry A. Ward Machining Technologies Center
Facilities

Larry A. Ward Machining Technologies Center

Get hands-on experience in our specialized, newly renovated labs using industry-standard equipment just like you’ll see in the real world.

Student Experience

“The way we learn, we have lecture for 45 minutes to an hour a day, then we get out in the shop and are out there for three or four hours, or even more if we want to stay later. ”

Kevin McGinty

METAL FABRICATION TECHNOLOGY

Internship

Your knowledge in practice

Internships are key for career preparation. Apply your knowledge to the workplace and learn about the industry first-hand.

Learn More
Student Life

Lead and put your skills to the test

Baja SAE

Baja SAE

Join other students, across various majors, and apply your skills to design a vehicle to compete in regular Baja SAE competitions.

American Welding Society (AWS)

American Welding Society (AWS)

Work together as a team on club projects and gain exposure to the welding industry through tours of local and regional businesses. 

Student Organizations at Penn College

Student Organizations at Penn College

Your college experience is about more than the classroom. Join one of 65+ clubs and organizations, or create your own.

Penn College News
09.20.2023

Take a video tour of welding & metal fabrication at Penn College

Virtually check out the welding labs inside Penn College's expansive Lycoming Engines Metal Trades Center – home to such equipment as an electron beam welder, CNC plasma cutters, robotic equipment, non-destructive testing areas and so much more.

09.08.2023

Labor Day week appropriately features hiring events

There was no shortage of networking opportunities during the holiday-curtailed week, as Career Services kicked off its September lineup of Recruitment Days. Among programs in the spotlight were automated manufacturing & machining, welding & metal fabrication, and nursing.

06.27.2023

Penn College students lead in manufacturing scholarships

Pennsylvania College of Technology students received nearly a third of all scholarships from a national foundation devoted to skilled manufacturing careers. Nuts, Bolts & Thingamajigs – the foundation of the Fabricators & Manufacturers Association International – awarded the $1,500-$2,500 scholarships to full-time undergraduate students enrolled in a certificate or degree program leading to a manufacturing career.

Gain global experience
Study Abroad

Gain global experience

See the world via Williamsport. Take your education abroad and get hands-on experience learning about your industry on a global scale.

Learn More

Student Experience

The community as their classroom

Living Outside 'You'

Living Outside 'You'

George Settle III trekked to the Middle East, bound for the Home of Hope, where he hoped to teach welding skills to a few of the children living there – many used, abused or abandoned, picked up by police from the streets of Beirut. In the process, the children taught him.

Read George's story

More Information

The machining course work in this associate degree is included in the Accredited Testing/Certification Institute for the National Institute for Metalworking Skills (NIMS). This accreditation enables our certified faculty to offer NIMS certification exams to our students or to award alternative credit to those students who have already successfully completed certification exams.

View general transfer information

Alternative Credit refers to academic credits earned through means other than traditional college course completion, including: credit by exam, articulation, proof of competency gained in high school, work/life experience, and advanced placement.

Visit the Alternative Credit Options page for requirements and procedures and for information on credit through Advanced Placement.

The first two semesters of the program focus on machining courses. It is recommended that students review the Automated Manufacturing & Machining Required Tools list to determine what tools and supplies they will need to purchase for this phase of the major.

The final two semesters of the program focus on welding courses. It is recommended that students review the Welding Tools & Supplies list to determine what tools and supplies they will need to purchase for this phase of the major.

Personal Protection Equipment and tools are available for purchase through The College Store .

  • Mr. Robert Blauser, '96, '00, Vice President of Operations, GSM Industrial
  • Mr. Richard A Conrad, Jr., '02, Field Application Engineer, Hobart/Miller Electric
  • Mr. Jacob D Fisher, '10, Plant Manager, High Steel Structures LLC.
  • Mr. Eric F Geier, '17, Operations Leadership Rotation Future Leader, Aerojet Rocketdyne
  • Mr. Wayne A Leone, Welder Training & Testing for Susq. Nuclear Power Plant, PP&L
  • Mr. Michael Sebergandio, '01, '03, Quality Engineer - Welding, Case New Holland
  • Mr. Brian A Thompson, Owner, Jasper Steel Works, LLC
  • Mr. Richard Wagoner, Principal Construction Training Leader, UGI Utilities
  • Mr. Dave Watson, Sales Engineer, Lincoln Electric