Welding Courses: A Way to Bond Life Skills with Good Job Prospects

How a building is constructed may seem truly exotic to someone who has never taken any welding courses and has no knowledge of construction. While there are many talented professionals behind the construction of a building, an overlooked role is that of a welder.

While they may look somewhat intimidating, welders are dedicated professionals who value safety and quality workmanship. But how do you become a welder? Do you just pick up an arc welder and some gloves? And what are some ways you can learn welding yourself? 

A great way to learn welding is through welding courses, the best of which we will list for you below.

How to Get a Welding Education

You can find welding courses at several different institutions of learning, including the following.

Community College

Community college is a great way to save a lot of money and get an excellent education. Completing two-year programs net you an associate degree in your major of choice. Many community colleges offer a glimpse into what is possible when majoring in a field like radiology or occupational therapy. 

Two-year degrees are a good idea since they can give you a more attractive accomplishment to put on your resume. However, many trades don’t require workers to have two-year or four-year degrees. 

Vocational Schools

Vocational or trade schools offer the best learning environment for trades like welding. Trade schools help students focus on a particular vocation. Some prime examples of trade school career specializations are electricians, plumbers, carpenters, veterinary technicians, and of course, welders. 

These schools teach you everything you need to know: welding safety, gas tungsten arc welding, metal fabrication, and TIG welding. For those who want to bypass getting an associate degree and score a job right after graduation, trade schools are your best bet.

Apprenticeships

Apprenticeships give future welders the most potential to succeed. Along with learning welding techniques from skilled welders, you can get the chance to network within your field. Apprenticeships pit you alongside a skilled welder who will show you all you need to know about welding equipment, pipe welding, welding safety, and more. 

You will join experts on multiple jobs, earn job training, and prove yourself enough to join the American Welding Society. 

Online Courses

Online courses are a great way to transmit information right now and effectively explore careers and what they entail. Not sure if you want to jump right in and work in gas metal arc welding? What about flux-cored arc welding (FCAW)? Online courses are fantastic windows into what you’ll experience in the field. 

Luckily, you don’t have to go through a lengthy application process like you would for a community college or four-year university. Many of these online courses only require your information and a fee. What follows is first-hand knowledge from skilled welders on how to dominate the field. 

Specific Welding Courses to Consider

Below are excellent welding course options for future welders. 

Universal Technical Institute: Welding Training School

The Universal Technical Institute’s Welding Training School offers a 36-week long program to transform rookies into skilled welders.

You will learn multiple techniques like tungsten arc welding (GTAW), shielded metal arc welding (SMAW), and metal arc welding (GMAW). This school allows you to access its VRTEX® virtual skilled welders for excellent online course instruction.

The school also has a curriculum created with the help of Lincoln Electric, a global manufacturer of welding tools and products. By the end of the 36 weeks, students will be skilled welders and know all the welding techniques to assist them during apprenticeships and jobs. 

The American Welding Society’s Online Courses

The American Welding Society is the be-all-end-all for all things welding in the United States. That’s why taking one of its courses is an excellent way to turn some heads during the job-hunting process. 

Its online courses have 24/7 support and a flexible, easy learning schedule. You can go at your own pace, whenever you want. You’ll review areas you excel at and others you need more work in. You’ll be acquiring knowledge from some of the most skilled welders in the United States, all entirely online. 

You’ll receive information in multiple ways: class modules, audio narration, and beneficial video footage for optimal visual learning. 

Instructables Welding Class

This completely free online course is an excellent primer for a career in welding. Over the course of three beginner lessons, even someone completely unfamiliar with welding basics will feel more confident in their abilities. 

The first lesson, consisting of extremely detailed welding safety measures and learning the different welding equipment, is a great place to start. Remember, it’s an entirely free online course, so you have nothing to lose and everything to gain. 

Is Welding a Good Career?

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the job outlook for welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers is pretty stable. Using welding skills individuals will always be in high demand due to crumbling roads, structures, and more. Welders are quite literally people who keep things together. 

The Bureau of Labor Statistics also reports that many welders only need a high school diploma. While this is true in some cases, employers will be more eager to hire someone who has displayed some welding skills through welding courses, trade school, or apprenticeships. It can be a competitive market, so ensuring you have the best credentials possible is ideal. 

Conclusion: Education Path for Welding Courses

So what’s the best possible education path for someone interested in welding? It depends. Based on time, money, and potential job opportunities, a great combination would be earning a certificate from online courses, a degree from a trade school, and completing an apprenticeship. 

With the welding skills learned from useful online welding courses, you’ll be fusing steel at a stable job in no time. These valuable learning methods will have you more than prepared for your very first welding job.