Arc Stick Welding (SMAW) Professional Training: 5-Day Intensive Certification Course

Course Overview

This comprehensive 5-day arc stick welding course provides intensive hands-on training in Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW) techniques tailored for industrial applications across Saudi Arabia (KSA), Oman, UAE, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, and African markets. This practical welding certification program covers electrode selection, all-position welding, pipe welding fundamentals, and AWS qualification standards essential for construction, oil and gas, structural steel fabrication, shipbuilding, and maintenance operations throughout the GCC region and Africa.

Target Audience

• Entry-level welders seeking SMAW certification in KSA and GCC countries

• Maintenance technicians in Saudi Aramco, ADNOC, and African industrial facilities

• Construction workers transitioning to certified welding positions in Oman and UAE

• Fabrication shop personnel requiring multi-position welding skills across Middle East

• Pipeline welders preparing for API 1104 qualification in GCC and African projects

• Military and vocational students pursuing welding careers in emerging African economies

Day 1: SMAW Equipment, Safety and Welding Fundamentals

Morning Session: Introduction to Arc Stick Welding

• History and advantages of SMAW in field welding applications across GCC

• Arc welding principles: electrical circuit, arc characteristics, heat generation

• Equipment components: transformer welders, inverter machines, rectifier systems

• Duty cycle ratings and machine capacity selection for different applications

• Power source comparison: AC vs DC welding for various electrodes and materials

• Polarity effects: DCEP, DCEN, AC applications for different electrode types

• Portable welding machines for remote African construction sites and desert operations

• Cost-effectiveness of SMAW for small-scale workshops in developing markets

Afternoon Session: Workplace Safety and Personal Protection

• Electrical safety protocols: proper grounding, cable inspection, shock prevention

• Arc radiation hazards: UV protection, proper shade selection (#10-#14 lenses)

• Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): welding helmets, leather gloves, protective clothing

• Fire prevention measures for Saudi construction sites and African workshops

• Fume extraction systems and respiratory protection requirements

• Confined space welding safety in tanks and pressure vessels

• Hot work permits and safety procedures per KSA labor regulations

• First aid for welding injuries: burns, arc flash, electric shock treatment

• OSHA compliance and GCC occupational health standards

• Hands-on practice: equipment setup, electrode holder connection, ground clamp positioning

Learning Outcomes: Complete understanding of SMAW equipment operation and comprehensive safety knowledge for accident-free welding in GCC and African industrial environments.

Day 2: Electrode Classification and Flat Position Welding

Morning Session: Welding Electrode Technology

• AWS A5.1 electrode classification system: E6010, E6011, E6013, E7018, E7024

• Electrode numbering interpretation: tensile strength, welding position, coating type

• Coating types and functions: cellulose, rutile, low-hydrogen, iron powder

• E6010 applications: deep penetration for pipeline root passes and open root joints

• E6011 characteristics: AC capability for farm equipment repair and maintenance welding

• E6013 features: smooth arc, light slag for sheet metal fabrication and general purpose

• E7018 low-hydrogen electrodes: structural steel welding meeting AWS D1.1 requirements

• Electrode storage requirements: rod ovens, moisture control for low-hydrogen electrodes

• Amperage selection charts for different electrode sizes and material thickness

Afternoon Session: Flat Position (1G/1F) Welding Practice

• Workpiece preparation: edge preparation, fit-up, tack welding techniques

• Arc striking methods: scratching vs tapping technique for stable arc initiation

• Arc length control: maintaining proper electrode-to-work distance (electrode diameter)

• Travel speed optimization: avoiding excessive heat input and distortion

• Bead appearance criteria: uniform width, consistent ripples, proper tie-in

• Stringer beads vs weave beads: application and technique differences

• Multi-pass welding procedures: root, fill, and cap pass sequences

• Practical exercises: running continuous beads on mild steel plates (6mm-12mm)

• Defect identification: porosity, undercut, overlap, slag inclusion recognition

• Quality assessment: visual inspection per ASME Section IX acceptance criteria

Learning Outcomes: Proficiency in electrode selection and flat position welding techniques forming the foundation for advanced positional welding in GCC fabrication shops.

Day 3: Horizontal and Vertical Position Welding Techniques

Morning Session: Horizontal Position (2G/2F) Welding

• Joint configurations: butt joints, fillet joints, lap joints in horizontal orientation

• Electrode angle techniques: work angle (0-15°) and travel angle (10-15°)

• Gravity effects management: preventing sag and overlap on horizontal surfaces

• Current adjustment for horizontal welding: typically 5-10% reduction from flat position

• Multi-pass horizontal groove welding: shelf technique for thick plate applications

• Horizontal fillet welds: building proper leg size for structural steel connections

• Applications: I-beams, box columns, pressure vessel circumferential seams

• Hands-on practice: 2G butt joint qualification on 10mm carbon steel plates

• Inspection techniques: fillet weld gauges, visual examination standards

Afternoon Session: Vertical Position (3G/3F) Welding

• Vertical-up vs vertical-down welding: technique selection criteria

• E6010/E6011 vertical-down: high-speed travel for sheet metal and pipe hot passes

• E7018 vertical-up technique: weaving patterns (triangular, Z-weave, C-weave)

• Keyhole method for vertical-up root passes in groove welds

• Electrode manipulation: pausing at toes, quick movement through center

• Heat control strategies: preventing burn-through while ensuring adequate fusion

• Vertical fillet welds: building consistent leg size throughout weld length

• Critical applications: high-rise construction in Saudi Arabia and UAE skyscrapers

• Extensive practice: 3G butt joint welding on structural steel plates

• Performance testing: bend test specimen preparation for ductility verification

Learning Outcomes: Mastery of horizontal and vertical welding positions essential for 70% of welding applications in GCC construction and African infrastructure projects.

Day 4: Overhead Welding and Pipe Welding Fundamentals

Morning Session: Overhead Position (4G/4F) Welding

• Overhead welding challenges: molten metal control, slag management, safety concerns

• Body positioning and ergonomics: minimizing fatigue during overhead operations

• Electrode size selection: typically smaller diameter (2.5mm-3.2mm) for better control

• Current reduction: 10-15% lower amperage preventing excessive droplet size

• Short arc technique: tight arc length preventing large molten pool formation

• Stringer beads preference: narrow beads reducing slag trapping risk

• Overhead fillet welds: critical for structural connections and underside repairs

• Applications: tank bottom repairs, overhead piping, bridge understructures

• Practical exercises: 4G groove weld qualification on carbon steel test plates

• Welding overhead safely: preventing hot metal and slag from falling on welder

Afternoon Session: Pipe Welding Introduction (5G Position)

• Pipe welding importance in GCC oil and gas infrastructure and African pipelines

• Pipe joint preparation: beveling, land thickness, root opening requirements

• Root pass techniques: E6010 open root keyhole method for complete penetration

• Fixed pipe (5G) welding sequence: 12 o’clock to 6 o’clock, alternating sides

• Hot pass application: E6010/E6011 fast travel speed removing slag and oxidation

• Fill and cap passes: E7018 low-hydrogen electrodes for structural integrity

• API 1104 qualification requirements for pipeline construction certification

• Pipeline welding career opportunities: Saudi Aramco projects, African gas pipelines

• Hands-on practice: 5G position on 4-inch schedule 40 carbon steel pipe

• Visual inspection criteria: uniform bead profile, proper reinforcement, no defects

Learning Outcomes: Complete all-position welding capability and introduction to high-demand pipe welding skills for GCC petrochemical and African energy sector employment.

Day 5: Welding Qualification Testing and Career Development

Morning Session: AWS and ASME Qualification Testing

• Welding Procedure Specification (WPS): understanding essential variables

• Performance Qualification Test (PQT): test plate/pipe setup and execution

• Welder qualification ranges: thickness, diameter, position qualified by single test

• Bend test procedures: guided bend test fixture, acceptance criteria

• Visual examination standards: undercut limits, porosity size, crack prohibition

• Radiographic testing basics: understanding RT film interpretation for welds

• Qualification documentation: welder performance qualification (WPQ) records

• Requalification requirements: 6-month activity rule, code changes, essential variable changes

• Mock qualification test: simulated AWS D1.1 3G test plate welding and evaluation

• International certifications: CSWIP, CWB, TÜV recognition across global markets

Afternoon Session: Advanced Applications and Career Pathways

• Specialized SMAW applications: cast iron repair, hard surfacing, dissimilar metals

• Welding in extreme conditions: high winds (desert), high humidity (coastal GCC)

• Maintenance and repair welding: equipment breakdown response in African mining

• Welding job market analysis: salary expectations in KSA (SAR 4,000-12,000/month)

• Career progression paths: welder → lead welder → welding inspector → welding supervisor

• Entrepreneurship opportunities: starting mobile welding services in Oman and Africa

• Continuing education: TIG welding, MIG welding, pipe welding specialization courses

• Employer requirements: Saudi Aramco approved welder list, ADNOC contractor qualification

• Job placement assistance: connections with GCC fabrication companies and African contractors

• Final practical assessment and course certification ceremony

Learning Outcomes: Job-ready SMAW welding skills with clear understanding of qualification requirements and career opportunities in booming GCC and African industrial markets.

Course Benefits for GCC and African Markets

✓ 90% hands-on training with industrial-grade equipment used in KSA and UAE facilities
✓ AWS D1.1 qualification test preparation for immediate employment eligibility
✓ All-position welding competency (1G through 5G) for versatile job applications
✓ Bilingual instruction (English/Arabic) for accessibility across Middle East
✓ Job placement assistance with leading contractors in Saudi Arabia, Oman, Qatar
✓ Industry-recognized certification accepted across GCC countries and African markets
✓ Small class sizes (maximum 8 students per instructor) ensuring personalized attention
✓ Lifetime technical support and refresher training opportunities

Investment in High-Demand Skills

Arc stick welding remains the most versatile and widely used welding process across Saudi Arabia’s construction boom, Oman’s infrastructure development, UAE’s industrial expansion, and Africa’s rapid industrialization. With Vision 2030 megaprojects in KSA and massive infrastructure investments across Africa, demand for certified SMAW welders has never been higher. Graduates earn competitive salaries and enjoy excellent job security in oil and gas, construction, shipyards, power plants, and manufacturing facilities.

Enroll today to master the most essential welding skill and launch your career in the thriving GCC and African industrial sectors!

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