CLEWISTON — Clewiston High School student, Luis Cruz recently passed his 4G D1.1 welding qualification at Clewiston Weld School. Cruz is now certified in 3G and 4G, and will be working on his 6G next.

Cruz along with other students at the school, are taught basic welding positions such as: flat position, horizontal position, vertical position, and overhead position by  Welding Technology Instructor Stephen Riggs,

According to Clewiston Weld School, “Stephen Riggs was initially trained at Tulsa Welding School, receiving his Master Welders Certificate in 2012, and has worked at Central Maintenance, US Sugar, Direct Industrial Products, and Florida Crystals. Riggs has 3G Pipe, 4G Vertical Plate, 6G Overhead Plate, MIG Weld, TIG Weld, and Stick Weld certifications.He also is skilled in Fabrication, Machining, Basic Mechanics, Arc Gouge, Plasma Cutting, Oxy-Acetylene Cutting, and Flux Cored (FCAW). Riggs has also passed the final section of his certified weld examiner certification test.”

The 3G welding certification qualifies a welder to weld flat, horizontal, and vertical. These are the positions most commonly used in welding shops. The 4g certification is an overhead stick welding test. By taking the 3G and 4G welding certifications together, one can then plate weld in all positions.

The 6G pipe weld is one of the most difficult weld certification tests to pass because the pipe is at a 45-degree angle and immovable. Welders performing the 6G certification test must weld in all positions including horizontal, vertical and overhead, and may have to weld both right-handed and left-handed.

For more information about Clewiston Weld School, visit the Clewiston Sub Office, 475 E. Osceola Ave., or call 863-983-1511 for more information.

Other adult education courses are also offered at LaBelle and Clewiston Adult Schools. Visit the offices at 300 West Cowboy Way in LaBelle, and 475 E. Osceola Avenue in Clewiston, or visit them online at hendryadultlearning.org for more information.