Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW)
Build foundational Gas Metal Arc Welding skills through instructor-led classroom learning, demonstrations, and supervised welding shop practice.
Your MIG Welding Training at a Glance
Get an introduction to GMAW through technical instruction, instructor demonstrations, and extensive supervised welding practice.
Total Hours
A focused introductory course covering GMAW theory and practical skills.
Practical Hours
Supervised practical welding shop training.
Theory Hours
Theory, technical instruction, and instructor demonstrations.
In-Person
Classroom learning combined with welding shop training.
Beginner Level
No previous welding experience is required.
Location
Brampton.
Build Practical MIG Welding Skills
Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW), commonly known as MIG welding, is a wire-fed arc welding process.
During this 80-hour course, students learn through classroom instruction, instructor demonstrations, and supervised shop practice.
Training introduces students to safe work procedures, GMAW equipment setup, shielding gas selection, wire-feed adjustments, material preparation, welding technique, basic visual inspection, welding symbols, and the purpose of welder qualification testing.
Training emphasizes flat and horizontal welding, with introductory vertical and overhead exercises as students demonstrate readiness.
- GMAW equipment and operation
- Welding safety
- Welding circuit and polarity
- Mild-steel preparation
- Welding wire selection
- Shielding gas selection
- Wire-feed adjustments
- Welding technique
- Basic weld inspection
- Welding symbols
- Fabrication drawings
Understand How MIG Welding Works
Students learn the fundamental components of the Gas Metal Arc Welding process and how equipment settings, wire, shielding gas, and welding technique work together.
Understand the GMAW Welding Circuit
Learn the basic relationship between the welding power source, electrode wire, welding gun, workpiece, and electrical circuit.
Learn the Role of Polarity
Students are introduced to polarity and how the correct setup supports the assigned welding procedure.
Explore Metal Transfer Modes
Students learn about common GMAW metal transfer modes and their general applications.
What You'll Be Able to Do
Upon successful completion, students should be able to demonstrate foundational GMAW knowledge, safe equipment operation, material preparation, welding technique, and introductory weld evaluation.
Safety & Equipment
- Identify common welding hazards.
- Apply appropriate safety controls.
- Inspect GMAW equipment before use.
- Set up GMAW equipment safely.
- Operate GMAW equipment safely.
- Shut down GMAW equipment correctly.
GMAW Process Knowledge
- Explain the basic GMAW process.
- Explain the welding circuit.
- Understand polarity.
- Describe common metal transfer modes.
- Discuss common applications for transfer modes.
Setup & Welding Technique
- Select welding wire for assigned exercises.
- Select shielding gas.
- Select settings using instructor-provided procedures.
- Follow manufacturer guidance.
- Prepare mild-steel materials.
- Assemble basic welded joints.
- Control gun angle.
- Control travel speed.
- Control contact-tip-to-work distance.
Welding & Interpretation
- Produce basic fillet welds.
- Produce basic groove welds.
- Weld in flat positions.
- Weld in horizontal positions.
- Practise introductory vertical welding under supervision.
- Practise introductory overhead welding under supervision.
- Identify common visible weld defects.
- Explain possible causes of visible defects.
- Interpret basic welding symbols.
- Read simple fabrication drawings.
What You'll Practise in the Welding Shop
Apply GMAW concepts through instructor-supervised exercises in a practical welding environment.
Equipment Setup
Inspect, prepare, operate, and shut down GMAW equipment safely.
Safety & PPE
Apply safe work practices and use appropriate personal protective equipment.
Wire Selection
Select welding wire for assigned exercises using instructor guidance.
Shielding Gas
Learn how shielding gas selection relates to the assigned welding procedure.
Machine Settings
Work with instructor-provided procedures and manufacturer guidance to select settings.
Material Preparation
Prepare mild-steel materials and assemble basic welded joints.
Welding Technique
Practise gun angle, travel speed, and contact-tip-to-work distance.
Flat Welding
Develop foundational GMAW technique in the flat position.
Horizontal Welding
Build experience completing assigned horizontal-position exercises.
Fillet & Groove Welds
Practise producing basic fillet and groove welds.
Basic Inspection
Identify common visible weld defects and discuss possible causes.
Vertical & Overhead
Practise introductory vertical and overhead welding under supervision.
More Time Welding. More Time Building Skills.
Move from understanding GMAW concepts to applying them through extensive supervised welding shop practice.
Theory Hours
Theory and instructor demonstrations.
Practical Hours
Supervised practical welding shop training.
75% of Instructional Time is Supervised Practical Training
Of the 80 instructional hours, 60 hours are dedicated to supervised practical training.
From Equipment Setup to Finished Weld
Students learn how equipment setup, shielding gas, wire selection, machine settings, and welding technique work together during MIG welding.
Inspect & Prepare
Inspect equipment, PPE, materials, and the work area.
Select Wire
Select the appropriate welding wire for the assigned exercise.
Select Shielding Gas
Use instructor-provided procedures to determine the required shielding gas.
Set Up the Machine
Configure the welding equipment using instructor guidance and manufacturer information.
Prepare the Joint
Prepare mild-steel material and assemble a basic welded joint.
Establish Technique
Practise gun angle, travel speed, and contact-tip-to-work distance.
Weld & Inspect
Complete assigned welding exercises and review the finished weld for visible defects.
Build Skills Across Common Welding Positions
Flat
Develop foundational GMAW technique while welding in the flat position.
Horizontal
Practise controlling the weld during assigned horizontal exercises.
Vertical
Practise introductory vertical welding under supervision as readiness permits.
Overhead
Practise introductory overhead welding under supervision as readiness permits.
Learn to Recognize What a Good Weld Looks Like
Students are introduced to basic visual weld inspection and learn to identify common visible weld defects and explain possible causes.
- Weld appearance
- Bead consistency
- Weld profile
- Common visible weld defects
- Possible causes of defects
Learn the Language of Welding
Students are introduced to basic technical information used to communicate welding requirements.
- Basic welding symbols
- Common welding terminology
- Simple fabrication drawings
- Joint identification
- Weld location
- Weld type information
Course Completion and Welder Qualification
Understand the difference between completing MIG welding training and achieving formal welder qualification.
Certificate of Completion
Students who meet the school's approved completion requirements may receive a Certificate of Completion from North American Trade Schools.
What Course Completion Means
This course provides introductory GMAW skills training and preparation.
- Completion of the approved NATS course requirements.
- Introductory GMAW knowledge and practical skills training.
- Supervised welding shop experience.
- Completion of the learning outcomes described in the course.
What Course Completion Does Not Mean
Course completion is separate from formal welder qualification.
- Course completion does not automatically confer formal welder qualification.
- Formal qualification testing follows separate requirements.
- Applicable standards and testing organizations establish qualification requirements.
The course introduces students to the purpose of welder qualification testing.
Formal welder qualification testing is separate from course completion and must follow the requirements of the applicable standard and testing organization.
Is This MIG Welding Course Right for You?
Beginners
People interested in learning MIG welding with little or no previous experience.
Skilled-Trades Explorers
Individuals exploring skilled trades and looking for practical welding experience.
Workers
People looking for introductory experience with Gas Metal Arc Welding.
Tradespeople
Individuals looking to expand their understanding of GMAW equipment and techniques.
Hands-On Learners
People who want substantial supervised welding-shop practice.
No Experience Required
The course is designed at an introductory level.
80 Hours of Instructor-Led Training
The course includes 80 instructional hours, excluding breaks.
8-Hour Sessions
A concentrated format spread across ten training sessions.
4-Hour Sessions
A shorter-session format spread across twenty training sessions.
MIG Welding Skills Covered in the Course
GMAW Fundamentals
- Gas Metal Arc Welding principles
- Welding circuit
- Polarity
- Metal transfer modes
- Welding safety
- Welding hazards
Equipment & Setup
- Equipment inspection
- Equipment setup
- Equipment shutdown
- Welding wire selection
- Shielding gas selection
- Machine settings
- Wire-feed adjustments
Welding Technique
- Mild-steel preparation
- Joint assembly
- Gun angle
- Travel speed
- Contact-tip-to-work distance
- Flat welding
- Horizontal welding
Weld Types
- Basic fillet welds
- Basic groove welds
- Introductory vertical welding
- Introductory overhead welding
Inspection & Interpretation
- Basic visual inspection
- Visible weld defects
- Possible defect causes
- Welding terminology
- Welding symbols
- Simple fabrication drawings
Qualification Awareness
- Purpose of welder qualification testing
- Course completion vs. formal welder qualification
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Gas Metal Arc Welding?
Gas Metal Arc Welding, or GMAW, is a wire-fed arc welding process commonly known as MIG welding.
What does GMAW stand for?
GMAW stands for Gas Metal Arc Welding.
Is GMAW the same as MIG welding?
GMAW is commonly referred to as MIG welding. This course introduces students to the foundational GMAW process, equipment, settings, and practical welding techniques.
How long is the NATS MIG Welding course?
The course consists of 80 instructional hours, excluding breaks.
How much of the MIG Welding course is hands-on?
The course includes 60 hours of supervised practical training and 20 hours of theory and instructor demonstrations. This means 75% of instructional hours are allocated to supervised practical training.
Do I need previous welding experience?
No. The course is introductory and no previous welding experience is required.
What will I learn about MIG welding equipment?
Students learn to inspect, set up, operate, and shut down GMAW equipment safely. The course also introduces the welding circuit, polarity, welding wire, shielding gas, and equipment settings.
Will I learn about shielding gas?
Yes. Students learn to select shielding gas for assigned exercises using instructor-provided procedures and manufacturer guidance.
Does the course cover GMAW metal transfer modes?
Yes. Students are introduced to common metal transfer modes and their applications.
What welding positions will I practise?
Training emphasizes flat and horizontal welding. Students also practise introductory vertical and overhead welding under supervision as they demonstrate readiness.
Will I learn how to identify weld defects?
Yes. Students learn to identify common visible weld defects and discuss possible causes.
Does the course cover welding symbols?
Yes. Students are introduced to basic welding symbols and simple fabrication drawings.
Does completing the MIG Welding course make me a qualified welder?
Course completion and formal welder qualification are separate. Students learn about the purpose of welder qualification testing, but formal qualification testing follows separate requirements.
Where is the MIG Welding course offered?
The supplied course information identifies North American Trade Schools in Brampton as the course location. Contact NATS to confirm current availability and upcoming class dates.
Ready to Start Welding?
Build foundational Gas Metal Arc Welding skills through 80 hours of instructor-led classroom, demonstration, and practical shop training.
With 60 hours dedicated to supervised practical training, this introductory MIG Welding course gives students substantial time to develop GMAW skills in a welding shop environment.
