How to Train to Be a Welder
While it is possible to learn welding on the job, most people seeking training for welding will need to attend a trade or vocational school. There are also some formal apprentice programs run by local trade unions.
Other People Are Reading
Instructions
-
-
1
Complete high school or obtain a GED. Nearly all welding programs require at least a high-school level education as well as the ability to read technical drawings and plans. This is especially the case if you will require student aid to attend the training school of your choice.
-
2
Make a realistic assessment of your skills and physical abilities. Welding requires physical stamina, including the ability to crouch for long periods of time. It is also a job where you must work in confined spaces or in areas that have extreme ranges of temperature. Being in good physical shape is necessary to have the stamina to work long days in difficult conditions.
-
-
3
Find the best training facility for your location and schedule. It is extremely difficult for a welder without formal training to find work in today's difficult economic conditions. There are several options for schooling as a welder. Many community colleges offer welding instruction, as do nearly all of the major trade school chains. Some local construction unions also offer apprentice programs or specialized training. There will be a number of options that fit the needs of someone able to devote their full time to training, or for someone who has to work their training around a preexisting job.
-
4
Find and enroll in a certified apprentice program. Whether you receive your training through a school or trade union, the next step will be to join a formal apprentice program. These programs match you up with an experienced professional and give students the chance for on the job training. Most apprentice programs are paid, although students are paid at a lower rate than an experienced professional.
-
5
Obtain your certified welding certification (CW). While the guidelines vary from state to state, in general once you complete your apprenticeship, you are able to apply for your CW. Generally you'll need to pass a short written test as well as a practical welding examination before obtaining the certification. Many states also put newly trained welders on a probationary period of up to six months.
-
6
Continue your education after you have received your certification and begun work as a welder. The same schools that offered the welding training also offer shorter classes that teach new welding techniques and other specialized training that can help you advance in your career.
-
1
