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Welding offers many career benefits for the mechanically inclined. Various industries, including engineering, construction, technical sales, and manufacturing and assembly, are in high demand for welders. Welding job opportunities are constantly expanding, and the future of the industry is exciting, uncharted territory for anyone willing to adapt to new technologies.
Also, welding is a career that pays well. An entry level position could earn you annual earnings starting at $28,560. The average salary for welders in the country is currently just over $40,000. Pay can be higher if you specialize as a military support, submariner, or welder.pipe welder. The first thing to do to pursue welding career opportunities is to obtain a degree or certification from an accredited school. This article highlights the 20 best welding schools and colleges in the US that will prepare you for your welding career.
Top 21 Welding Schools and Universities
Hobart Welding Institute
Hobart is a name that needs no introduction in the world of welding. They are famous for their high-quality welding equipment, but that's not all.Das Hobart Institute of Welding TechnologyIt is the school of the company and has more than 80 years of experience in teaching welding. The institution is recognized worldwide as a specialized welding school with an industry-leading curriculum.
If you enroll in Hobart, you should be able to complete the welding course in less than a year and then earn a certificate accredited by the American Welding Society. Best of all, the institution offers employment support to its graduates. You can bet that you will be able to use your new welding skills professionally almost immediately after graduation. Whether you are interested in an individual course or a comprehensive 24-week programme, the Hobart Welding Institute is second to none when it comes to preparing you for a rewarding career as a welder.
Die Lincoln Electric Welding School
HeElectric Welding School in Lincolnis another specialized school that only teaches welding and offers the right environment to prepare you for a successful welding career. Lincoln Electric is a big shot in the welding industry. The company is known for its high-quality welding equipment; hence the first position as one of the best welding schools.
The institution has well trained and highly qualified instructors to teach you. By the time you complete your course, you'll have the proper welding skills, as the school ensures that each student receives plenty of supervised, hands-on training. The school's comprehensive program covers everything from the basics of introductory welding to more advanced techniques such as dip welding. To top it off, your diploma will build on the strong reputation of Lincoln Electric, which is sure to open the doors to a career in the welding industry.
Alabama Academy of Pipe Welders
Alabama Pipe Welders Academy is the place to go if you want to specialize in pipe welding. The school has a teacher-student ratio of 5:1, which guarantees more individual tuition. You get a welding booth with everything at your fingertips for maximum efficiency in learning the basics. The curriculum includes 12 real-world scenarios to prepare you for any job.
Also, the instructors are highly experienced with more than 50 years of experience in various industries such as shipyards, onshore installation, offshore pipelines, power plants, and construction. In addition to the welding courseAlabama Academy of Pipe Weldersoffers NDT training to become certified for an inspection job. In general, the school is the best place if you want to feel like a real handyman during the course.
Cal Vocational School of Welding – Modesto
Modesto Cal-Trade Welding Schoolis another rare gem. The school has received institutional accreditation from CPPVE, which means that its operations meet the standards established by law for the professional training of private post-secondary educational institutions. At Cal-trade you are guaranteed individual practical training. The school teaches all students state-of-the-art welding techniques, preparing them for a wide range of welding opportunities in the job market.
The Welding course at Cal-Trade trains Rod, TIG, and three wire feeding processes most commonly used in the modern welding world. Other courses offered include; TIG/MIG welding, Blueprint Reading, Structural Welding and AWS Inspector. You can bet on the institution for the best learning experience, as all instructors have a certificate of service and several years of on-the-job training. As if that were not enough, Cal-Trade makes available job opportunities in this field to each of its students after completing the welding course.
erwin technical center
Heerwin technical centeris an institution that offers various technical courses in the categories of business, design, industry and medicine. The school's industrial program includes a welding engineering course that is offered full-time over 12 months. The course includes instruction and hands-on practice in various welding techniques, including manual gas shielded arc welding, gas tungsten arc, plasma cutting, and gas metal arc welding, among others.
According to the Erwin Technical Center, the Welding Engineering course will equip you with the handling skills and technical knowledge necessary to qualify for entry-level opportunities. In addition, the school offers a practical welding certificate upon completion of the course. Before graduation, you will take a road test, but you do not need to pass it to graduate.
Atlanta Technical College
This is a public university in Atlanta, Georgia. It is a small school with an enrollment of approximately 1,248 undergraduate students. The school offers some technical courses, including cosmetology, auto mechanics, and culinary arts and gastronomy. His welding course is offered as part of the Careers and Personal Services program. You have two options; the welding and joining technology diploma and the TCC welding construction plan.
The Welding and Joining Technology course focuses on both theory and practical applications, which you need for the aptitude test and to start a career in the welding industry. Anyone over the age of 16 with a high school diploma can apply. To graduate, you must maintain a 2.0 GPA and complete the entire course.
Technical College in Central Georgia
The welding schedule belowTechnical College in Central Georgiait stacks well with those of other well known welding schools. It is located in Warner Robins, Georgia. When in Georgia this should be your number one consideration. The school offers a Welding Certificate that lasts less than a year and a Bachelor's Certificate that can last up to 4 years.
Kentucky welding institute
Kentucky welding institute(KWI) is a specialist welding school offering an intensive industry-focused welding program. The institution boasts a student-teacher ratio of 15:1, ensuring that each student reaches their full potential. KWI's primary focus is training elite welders and this is accomplished through intensive 40 hour training weeks. You can improve your skills and graduate in a short period of time so that you can enter the job market and start earning money early.
Additionally, the school prides itself on providing its students with the blueprint and tools they need to succeed soon after graduation. You won't experience the stark gap between welder education and the demands of the industry because KWI's program is designed to give you a learning experience that has all the dirt of a construction site. You'll get all the certifications, equipment, and tests so you'll have the confidence to show up for jobs.
advanced welding school
Advanced Welding School is an American Welding Society accredited laboratory and teaching facility. The school was founded in 2017 by a professional welder with over 40 years of experience in the industry. The curriculum is comprehensive and effective, with 16 different welding courses and several American Welding Society certification programs. Additionally, all instructors are highly qualified with multiple welding certifications and years of hands-on welding experience.
Inadvanced Welding School,no classes Start welding on day one for at least 8 hours. You will be personally mentored in the welding shop to ensure you are provided with all the skills and tools you need to shine at the highest level. The longest course offered at the school is 24 weeks, which means you can be in the job market with comprehensive welding skills in no time.
Precision welding training and testing
This is one of the few welding training institutions that uses the Hobert Institute of Welding Technology curriculum. The institution prides itself on accommodating individual skill levels, whether you are a beginner or an advanced welder. The welding training program is designed as a combination of hands-on practice and theory in the classroom. You will receive one hour of hands-on training throughout the course.
welding course inTesting and training of precision welds.The institute includes courses in arc welding and gas tungsten welding for beginners and advanced. The school will provide you with workbooks, consumables, and welding equipment. Plus, all shop materials are included to give you the best welding experience. The best thing about Precision is that they have made the welding training program accessible to everyone. You do not need a high school diploma or GED to enroll.
Morash Institute of Welding and Safety
Morash Institute of Welding and Safetyis one of the highest rated AWS Certified welding training facilities in the United States. Offers comprehensive training in GTAW, GMAW, FCAW, SMAW and oxyfuel cutting processes. The school's certified director and instructors teach academics and practice in one-on-one or group private sessions, ensuring you master the skills necessary to pass the welding exam and excel in the job market.
women who weld
women who weldis a Detroit-based NGO dedicated to creating economic opportunities for women and diversifying the workforce. Teaches women to weld and find jobs in the welding industry. The organization has two programs; One-day and one-year introductory workshops for all those who want to learn the fundamentals of welding and one-week intensive welding training courses, also one year. After completing the training, you will be well prepared for a permanent position or training in the welding industry.
American Welding Academy
The American Welding Academy is the leading welding school in the United States. The school is known for producing top-tier welding professionals with remarkable skills that fit into various industry constellations. All of its courses are designed to provide students with the skills necessary for a fulfilling career in welding. Additionally, they pride themselves on drawing on the expertise of world-class welding instructors, businessmen, and personnel.
Courses offered by AWS include: Piping Welding and Assembly, Fabrication Welding and Assembly, and Structural Welding. They also offer tailor-made courses to improve your skills. With a student ratio of 15:1 and experienced teachers, you are sure to get the best value for moneyAmerican Academy of Welding.
Missouri Welding Institute
HeMissouri Welding Institutewas founded in 1999, so it has more than enough experience to help students find the best path to a solid, well-paying welding career. The school is popular for training most of the best welding tradesmen in the country. In all programs offered, highly qualified teachers apply a hands-on approach and personal attention to lessons.
The institution offers four programs for you to choose from. Master Pipe Welding and Fitting is perfect for anyone looking to start a career in pipe construction or fabrication. The Construction Welding and Assembly Master is suitable for anyone who wants to work in the field or in shop production. The advanced piping assembly course is the best option to start a welding career in the piping industry. You can also take the customized course designed to increase your welding proficiency level beyond your proven skill level.
Elite welder training and exam.
This is the best option for anyone interested in learning welding in South Jersey. Elite welder training and testing is designed to produce qualified welders who can easily adapt to the welding job market. The welding program at the school is designed to ensure that you can pass the ASME Section IX welding test for plate or pipe welding to become a certified welder. With certification, you can easily find work as a recent graduate, although most companies want experienced welders.
next tohttps://weldertrainingsouthjersey.comElite Welder Training and Testing is staffed by qualified instructors with an average of 25 years of experience in the nuclear and petrochemical industries, where the highest paying jobs are found. You will learn to weld in the real world using a combination of techniques so that you can earn the highest wages in the industry.
Tennessee College of Applied Technology
If you are in Tennessee, theTennessee College of Applied Technologyit is the best option to get a proper welding education. Although the school is not an institution dedicated to welding education, its welding technology program is quite strong. It is designed to prepare you to confidently enter the job market. The school uses an individualized teaching method that offers classroom instruction and hands-on experience with all necessary welding tools and equipment.
The program is 12 months long and you can choose to study full-time, part-time or at your own pace, as long as you have completed all 1,296 hours. You have three options for a certificate; 432 hours SMAW, 864 hours GMAW or 1296 hours GTAW. A diploma will give you 1296 hours of all welding processes so that you can become a combination welder.
arclabs welding school
arclabs welding schoolis the best place to start your journey towards a fully fledged welding career. The school has all the nationally accredited ACCET programs you are looking for, whether you are a beginner or a seasoned professional looking to improve your skills. You can enroll in any of the 4 welding program options offered. If you are a Weldmaster looking to improve your skills, you can opt for the 1300 hour Weldmaster program. The 900 hour advanced welding program is suitable for beginners and advanced welders. The 400 hour welding program is suitable for beginners and trains SMAW, GCAW and FCAW. The 280-hour process-specific program is designed for beginning and intermediate welders who want to train in FCAW and GMAW.
All programs include expert training and 90% hands-on training. Once you finish the whole course, the school will help you find a decent job through its placement services. In addition, all training programs include a professional preparation course.
Elite welding academy
HeElite welding academyit has a variety of accreditations, including from the US Department of Education. It is therefore one of the best institutions for learning welding techniques. The welding course offered by the school prepares students for a career in a variety of fields including industrial, commercial, and manufacturing opportunities. You can choose the fabrication welding program or the structure and piping welding program.
The Piping and Structural Welding program is 1,000 hours in length and you have the option of completing 26 weeks of full-time day courses or 44 weeks of part-time evening courses. The course is designed to prepare you for a fulfilling career in an industry that has a demand for piping and structural welding. The craft program, on the other hand, requires 224 hours and is only offered at the South Point campus. It also prepares you for structural welding and fabrication welding in various industries. After completing both courses, you will receive a certificate of completion.
Industrial and welding center 4C
HeIndustrial and welding center 4Cis an NCCER-accredited training and testing agency. The school is also proud to be an AWS Educational Institute, an Oklahoma Safety Council Satellite Site, and an Oklahoma State Welding Test Laboratory. In addition to welding, the school teaches construction trades such as blacksmithing, rigging, boilermaking, and building supervision.
The school's welding program includes the SMAW, GTAW, GMAW, and FCAW welding processes. They have 20 welding booths that are fully equipped to give you the best hands-on learning experience. Upon graduation, you will receive a certificate that reflects the institution's reputation and effortlessly opens doors for you in the job market.
Albany Welding Trade School
Albany prided itself on being Oregon's only licensed welding trade school. In addition to the school's comprehensive curriculum, Albany offers skill upgrades, welding certification, weld inspection services, and seminars throughout the United States. The school guarantees you maximum attention from highly qualified and certified instructors with theoretical and practical experience in welding. With years of design and manufacturing experience, trainers know exactly what you need to adapt to the real world of work.
Welding Lesson Schedule BelowWelding School in Albanyincludes five hours in the welding booth over four days. The fifth day is devoted to research, homework, and reading. The program consists of 10 courses with a duration of 320 hours. Each course is 30 hours with the exception of the trade school module which is 80 hours.
New England School of Metalworking
This is a non-profit educational institution dedicated to promoting and strengthening metallurgical skills. The school was founded in 2000 and is located in Auburn, Maine. The welding program offers training in SMAW, GTAW, GMAW, and FCAW for various materials. Also included in the curriculum are carbon arc gouging and oxy-fuel plasma arc cutting.
HeNew England School of Metalworking(NESM) promises special attention from students since its classes never exceed twelve students. You will know both the technical part and the practice of welding. The program is designed to teach you the theory of the welding process, technique, gas selection, electrode classification and use, and troubleshooting. With practice, you will become a master at producing welds of consistent size and appearance in a variety of materials. Also, the welding course is incredibly flexible. You can enroll in different procedures either for basic or advanced courses.
Thanks to NESM's qualified and experienced instructors, you will get the best value for money. They also have excellent facilities with up-to-date equipment.
Diploma
If you want to learn the art of welding in the US, you have many options. Any of the schools on this list are a good place to start, whether you're just looking for a certificate for your first welding job or want to earn a degree. All schools are good, but not all will help you get a job after graduation. If you're looking to start a job immediately after completing your course, be sure to sign up with reputable names like Lincoln Electric Welding School, Hobart Institute of Welding Technology, and American Welding Academy. Getting your training at these popular welding training institutions will add some weight to your resume.