How Long Is Welding School?

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, we will see more than 14,000 new welders enter the workforce by 2028 and moreover, a 6% growth rate. If you are looking to jump on this wave, read on below to find out how long it will take to be a welder.

Furthermore, we will guide you through what welding entails, the requirements welding has, the current job market and salary, and more!

What Does a Welder Do?

A welder brings metal components and metals, such as aluminum together to form a structure. As an example, a welder could create a metal furniture stand and weld two columns at a construction site together.

Highly skilled welders use tools that produce heat that bring metal components together in many different construction applications. Welders also will fill holes and repair metal structures.

Some typical job duties of a welder include:

• Interpreting blueprints and drawings and using them to plan layouts while ensuring project specifications are understood.
• Choosing appropriate welding equipment, techniques and methods to utilize under project requirements.
• Preparing weld equipment to the appropriate specifications.
• Maintaining and repairing welding equipment.
• Welding parts and components of many different sizes in different locations.
• Following the proper safety procedures while welding.

Common responsibilities of a welder may include:

• Making sure that each project created is strong and safe for people to use.
• Following safety regulations to use flame safely and responsibly.
• Making sure to use a proper temperature to keep the flame and the metals during the welding process.
• Clean and store the welding tools.
• Look at blueprints to find measurements and length of the item that will be welded.

How Long Is Welding School?

Vocational schools, community colleges, apprenticeships, welding training programs, and on-the-job training are all available training options to become a welder. After completing the training, students will earn either a diploma, certificate, or an associate degree. These choices affect how long it will take to be a certified welder.

A bachelor’s degree in welding usually has the longest time commitment of 4 years.

An associate degree program in welding is usually a 2-year degree, while certification programs take up to 6 to 18 months. Students may take part in an apprenticeship, or receive formal training in welding which can take up to a few years to complete.

Employers usually prefer that welders have first completed an educational program and have a completed undergraduate degree or a certification.

While the American Welding Society (AWS) supports post-secondary programs in welding and industry certifications, there are many different paths to becoming a welder.

AWS certification is performance based and does not require any prerequisite courses and/or certifications. The examination tests a welder’s ability to perform in the structural steel, petroleum pipelines, sheet metal and chemical refinery welding industries.

The Certification is for Certified Welder (CW) tests taken at AWS Accredited Testing Facilities worldwide. The following are other certification categories:

• Certified Welding Inspector
• Certified Associate Welding Inspector
• Senior Certified Welding Inspector
• Certified Welding Educator
• Certified Radiographic Interpreter
• Certified Welding Supervisor
• Certified Welding Sales Representative
• Certified Welding Engineer
• Certified Welder
• Certified Robotic Arc Welding

It’s important, realize that different schools are going to offer different types of opportunity. As an example, The American Petroleum Institute offers a welding inspection and metallurgy certificate for those looking to get a job in the petrochemical industry.

If you’re looking to learn specific skills such as exotic welding or underwater welding, you should get some welding training or certifications based on the area in which you seek employment.

Welding certificate programs can help an individual prepare for these kinds of exams. A welding program can last anywhere from a couple of weeks to up to 6 months depending on the program.

A welding school is going to be useful because there is going to be some welding theory, and some basics about welding to help provide you with the skills to start work once a program is completed.

You will learn to use welding equipment in a safe manner, read blueprints, and be able to create work orders as part of a larger task.

What Types of Welding Do Welding Schools Teach?

Finishing your welding education, you will learn about a wide range of skilled trades, which regularly use welding. There are four types of welding processes that most certification programs or degree programs will include:

Arc welding

This is a common type of welding that employees can use on the job when they are in construction or manufacturing working with larger and thicker materials to join them together using basic fusion practices. It is also referred to as “stick welding.”

MIG welding

MIG welding is one of the most popular welding techniques, because of the ability to melt together stainless steel, mild steel and aluminum types of metal. Many people think this is the easiest type of welding to master. Most employers will require a welder to know this type of welding.

TIG welding

TIG welding is undoubtedly one of the more difficult types of welding to master. It uses tungsten inert gas to create what are deemed to be higher-quality fusions than other welding variations. You take a half-day class on how to TIG weave, yet it often requires much more advanced education, training, or certification.

Flux-cored arc welding

Flux-cored arc welding (FCAW) is an automatic or semi-automatic welding process with a continual feed of wire. FCAW is the joint of an electrode which is filled with flux, to a base metal.

Companies use this type of welding for welding thick metals or rusted and contaminated metals. FCAW is commonly used in fields such as machining.

Hyperbaric welding

Hyperbaric welding can take place in a dry environment, and the same method can be used when welding underwater. When workers learn this specific type of welding, they can work on ships, pipelines, and oil platforms.

Oxyacetylene welding

Steel melts from this type of welding using acetylene gas and oxygen. It can be used for maintenance or cutting of various metal types.

Is a license necessary to work as a welder?

Upon completion of your education in welder training school, you may also need to get a welding license before you can start working.

Some states may have license requirements specifically for welders in addition to the requirements on some sort of welding certification program. In some cases, these requirements have location differences.

An example of license requirements for welders can be drawn from New York City, where applicants for a welding license must complete the American Welding Society Manual-Shielded Metal Arc Welding Process (SMAW) certification or the New York State Department of Transportation Field Welder Certification Manual-Shielded Metal Arc Welding Process for 3G and 4G.

To know about specific training requirements in your area, check in with your local Department of Labor and training.

Why Choose Formal Welding Training?

When contemplating a welding school, and it’s easy to think of going straight from high school and skipping welding school altogether. If you can go straight from high school to your profession it may often feels more advantageous to just streamline process.

Not only will a formal welding program prepare you with the knowledge and skills needed, but you will also benefit from great job opportunities, certification opportunities and higher pay as well.

According to the most recent survey conducted by the CT Building Industry Association (CBIA), the growth in the manufacturing sector means employers are looking for skilled, qualified individuals that can step into a role and get to work.

In Connecticut, 42% of employers are looking for hires with post-secondary education and exposure to some sort of formal training, such as post-secondary education with intensive training at the college level, or certificate programs with college associates.

Starting a career in welding in Connecticut means working in animal agriculture, one of the leading industries in the state’s economy. The CBIA has found that there are over 4,000 manufacturing companies based out of the Nutmeg State.

Connecticut is also home to an estimated 159,000 manufacturing employers, who make on average more than $95,000/year.

Welding is also a bright future for anyone who is interested in this role, as it is a hands on career in Connecticut.

Not only do welders have job security in an broad range of trades, but welding is an evolving and engaging industry that presents rewarding opportunities for career change and advancement.

New technologies have caused manufacturing plants to evolve and enhance their equipment continually to bolster improved efficiency and precision.

Those who have formal training will go into this field with an initial competitive advantage to the skills needed to perform the job and learn on new and improved equipment to be used in the field.

Instead of questioning yourself “how long is welding school?”, think instead about how fast you want to move into this growing, exciting industry.

Once you have trained and secured your educational attainment, it is feasible and realistic to expect a long, successful career in the skilled trades for many years.

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