Ready to spark a stronger future?

The manufacturing industry depends on skilled welders who build, repair, and strengthen the equipment and structures that keep production moving. Arkansas State University–Newport’s Welding Program opens the door to high-demand careers where precision, safety, and craftsmanship matter every day. In just a few months, you’ll gain the technical knowledge, hands-on lab experience, and industry-recognized credentials that employers across Arkansas are actively seeking.

Whether you’re entering the workforce for the first time or looking for a new direction, this training provides a competitive edge, practical experience, and a direct pathway to employment. It’s your opportunity to build a career with stability, strong wages, and long-term growth potential.

Class Times:

Monday to Thursday - 8:30 - 11:30

Students will be required to complete 4 hours per week of online content.

PROGRAM OUTCOMES

Students will be equipped with the foundational employability skills—such as work ethic, communication, teamwork, and problem-solving—needed to obtain and succeed in entry-level employment or advance in education and training.

Students will develop the knowledge and skills required to maintain a safe manufacturing workplace, identify hazards, follow regulatory safety procedures, and promote safe equipment operation and safety culture.

Students will develop the competencies in quality systems, measurement, inspection, data analysis, and continuous improvement to ensure products meet manufacturing specifications.

Students will gain the techncial skills to be competetive for hire as an entry level production worker or entry levle MIG welder. Upon completion, students should be able to perform fillet welds on carbon steel with prescribed electrodes in the flat and horizontal positions.

PROGRAM COURSES

Job Readiness

• Workplace Essentials
• Durable skills

 Workplace Safety

• Generial Industry OSHA 10 Card
• ASUN Certificate
• Manufacturing Skills Standards Counsel Certficate
• Credly Badge

Quality Practices & Measurement 

• Credly Badge
• ASUN Precision Measurement Certificate
• Manufacturing Skills Standards Counsel Certficate

Production Welding 

• Hands-On Experience
• 48 hours: hands-on welding training
• ASUN Certificate
• Opportunity to Earn AWS Flat Weld Certification
  

Students must be 17 at the start of the program and attend orientation.

Ready for a better career?

Whether you’re entering the workforce or looking for a higher-paying path, the Certified Production Technician (CPT) 4.0 credential can set you apart.   The CPT 4.0 credential is issued through Manufacturing Skill Standards Council (MSSC) and the accredited  under ISO/IEC Standard 17024 for Personnel Certification.

High-demand, high-wage opportunities:

Northeast Arkansas has 5,000+ production jobs with average wages over $45,000 per year with many semi-skilled jobs earning over $60,000. Earning the MSSC CPT 4.0 credential gives you a strong advantage in landing these roles.

Fast, flexible, industry-driven training:

CPT 4.0 is a nationally recognized, industry-led program built with input from local manufacturers. It prepares you—from entry-level to front-line supervisor—for modern advanced manufacturing using both virtual training and hands-on labs.

• Finish in 12 weeks or less
• Hybrid, approximately 80 hours of online content plus 40 hours of labs and instruction
• Schedule weekly labs around your life
• Earn up to six certificates and one full industry certifications

What you’ll learn: CPT 4.0 training is organized into four targeted modules that build essential production skills:

Safety – OSHA standards, workplace safety, risk prevention

Quality Practices & Measurement – inspection, documentation, process control

Manufacturing Processes & Production – systems, workflow, materials handling

Maintenance Awareness – mechanical basics, electrical troubleshooting, preventive maintenance

Complete all four modules and pass the assessments to earn the full MSSC Certified Production Technician credential—a portable, respected certification recognized by employers across the manufacturing sector.

Attend class when it meets your schedule!  Weekly labs are scheduled by you to meet the demands of your life

Job Placement Services

ASUN will assist you with your job search and interview preparation. We have employers who want to see your skills!