BusinessHABWelding trade schools
Welding trade schools: Learning how to become a welder can lead to reliable opportunities that are challenging yet enjoyable.
Welding Schools near you could offer hands-on training that teaches you sought-after skills for multiple specialties.
You can also prepare for recognized welding certifications that are relevant to a variety of good-paying industries.
Welding Training
The typical way to enter this trade is by completing one of the formal programs offering welding classes near you, getting certified, and continuing to learn while on the job.
Some employers also hire inexperienced people who only have a high school diploma (or the equivalent).
Many jobs require you to pass on-site welding tests to verify your skills before being hired or to become properly certified after you’ve been on the job for a while.
Length of Training: How Long is Welding School?
Welding trade school training typically takes between seven and 24 months to complete, depending on the welding program you choose.
However, some schools offer shorter welding courses for tradespeople who only need to learn one or two processes rather than a broader range of techniques.
Program Options
Welding Schools near you may offer the chance to earn one or more of these academic credentials:
Welding Certificate:
This type of program is usually the fastest training option.
Some courses of study are geared toward people who are new to the trade and cover several welding processes.
Others are meant for existing tradespeople who wish to gain skills for specialties.
You can earn stackable certificates in different welding processes at some schools that count toward a future associate degree.
Welding trade schools
Welding diploma:
At this level, the training is fairly streamlined yet somewhat more comprehensive than a general certificate program. It
often takes just a year or less.
Some schools make it possible to upgrade your diploma to an associate degree at a future date by taking extra classes.
Welding associate degree:
This study level is usually the most comprehensive when it comes to the number of welding techniques you can learn.
It also tends to include several general courses.
And some programs incorporate business-related classes in case you ever want to become a self-employed contractor.
Expect it to take up to two years to earn this type of welding degree.
Welding apprenticeships:
Some employers and trade unions offer the opportunity to earn money while you learn to weld through a combination of classroom-based education and on-the-job training.
These opportunities have become a little less common than they used to be.
They often go to people who already have some formal schooling or trade experience.
But you can find potential openings through the U.S. Department of Labor.
Welding trade schools
Typical Welding Courses
Each school uses its own curriculum.
But here are some examples of subjects you may learn about in welding classes near you:
- Workplace safety
- Metallurgy (i.e., the properties of metals)
- Welding symbols and principles
- Fundamentals of:
- Chemistry
- Physics
- Electricity
Welding trade schools
- Trades math
- Blueprint reading
- Mechanical drawing
- Human relations
- Methods of fabrication
- Setup and maintenance of tools and equipment
- Material selection and handling
- Various types of welding methods, such as:
- Oxyacetylene welding
- GTAW
- GMAW
- SMAW
- FCAW
Welding trade schools
- Weld inspection and quality control
- Plasma and thermal cutting
- Automated systems
Skills You Can Learn
Welding school can teach you how to carry out tasks such as:
- Interpreting welding codes, specifications, and technical drawings
- Setting up and safely using various kinds of welding equipment, tools, and accessories like:
- Safety gear
- Electrodes and wire feeders
- Torches and welding guns
- MIG pliers
- Clamps and magnets
- Angle grinders
- Chipping hammers
- Wire brushes and metal files
Welding trade schools
- Taking accurate measurements
- Making precise calculations
- Preparing materials to be welded
- Using direct and alternating current to create arc welds
- Choosing and performing the most appropriate welding process for each project
- Producing different types of welded joints like:
- Lap
- Tee
- Butt
- Corner
- Edge
- Creating clean and precise welds in flat, horizontal, vertical, and overhead positions
- Cutting materials using plasma or thermal equipment
- Fabricating durable goods
Licensing & Certification
Most states don’t require welders to be licensed unless they are self-employed contractors with their own businesses.
For the few states that do have government licensure, registration, or certification requirements.
It is generally just for a particular area of the trade.
Such as inspection or structural steel, pressure vessel, or pipeline welding.
Can you become a certified welder without going to school?
Technically, you can. For basic American Welding Society certification.
You don’t need to meet any educational requirements.
But you do need to pass a skills test.
Most people who enter this trade learn fundamental welding skills through a welding trade school.
It is also possible to learn everything on the job if your employer is willing to train you as a true beginner.
Welding trade schools
Can I teach myself to weld?
Some welders are self-taught, but that isn’t the norm.
Experienced people in the trade often recommend that newcomers go to welding trade school to learn the proper techniques and safety procedures.
However, you can learn some of the fundamentals by watching online videos and getting lots of practice with the right materials and equipment.
Most importantly, you need repeated practice at welding various kinds of joints.
Welding trade schools
Try to find some experienced welders in your area before you get started.
So that you can ask for some tips and advice.
It can be difficult or impossible to recognize and correct any improper techniques you may be using without formal instruction (or at least an in-person mentor).
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