The petrochemical as well as the manufacturing and construction industries in Houston drive demand for professionals versed in welding metallurgy, inspection, and codes. According to the Texas Workforce Commission, employment for welders will grow 21% from 2016 through 2026.
Welding offers good compensation and rewarding opportunities. With industry certification, you can work in specialized industries. Entry-level welders can earn more than $50,000 annually. The rate of pay can exceed six figures with experience and certification. Community colleges and vocational schools provide top-notch and affordable training to boost the workforce with competent and safety-minded workers. You can prepare for industry certification in just three months or pursue an Associate of Applied Science degree to develop advanced skills and gain a competitive advantage.
Tulsa Welding School
The Welding Specialist with Pipefitting program offered by Tulsa Welding School prepares students for entry-level employment in structural, pipe, and pipeline and thin alloy welding and in pipefitting and steam fitting. The instruction will cover key welding processes as well as basic and advanced pipefitting skills with over 75 percent of the instruction being hands-on. Students attend lectures one day a week in the classroom. Two flexible schedules are available for completing the practical requirements. Courses topics include Welding Fundamentals, GMAW/FCAW Processes, Structural Welding, Pipe Welding, Advanced Pipe Welding, Welding Capstone, Introductory Pipefitting Skills, and Advanced Pipefitting.
Program overview:
Welding Specialist with Pipefitting
Duration: 9.5 months
Clock hours: 1000
Credit hours: 44-semester credits
Prerequisites:
- Attend a campus tour and personal interview
- Apply for admission to TWS
- Meet with a financial aid advisor
- Submit the required documentation with the application
- Must have a high school diploma or GED
Program cost:
Tuition and fees for the program is $24,036 for non-military students and $21,990 for military students. Financial aid and scholarships are available for eligible students.
Website: https://www.tws.edu/programs/professional-welding-training/
Address: 243A Greens Rd., Houston, TX 77060
Toll Free: (855) 806-4921
Houston Community College
The Welding Technology Associate of Applied Science (AAS) program at Houston Community College provides students with technical training in welding quality, welding metallurgy, and the management of welding projects for the welding industry. The program is accredited by the American Welding Society and Schools Excelling Through National Skills Education so graduates will be eligible for entry-level and advanced welder certifications. Course topics include Introduction to Welding Using Multiple Processes, Introduction to Shielded Metal Arc Welding, Introduction to Gas Tungsten Arc Welding, Intermediate Shielded Metal Arc Welding, Blueprint Reading for Welders, Advanced Gas Tungsten Arc Welding, Introduction to Metallurgy, Introduction to Pipe Welding, Standards, Advanced Pipe Welding, Welding Technologies, and Internship.
Program overview:
Welding Technology – AAS
Duration: 2 years
Credit hours: 60-semester credits
Prerequisites:
- Attend a campus tour and personal interview
- Apply for admission to HCC
- Submit official high school transcripts and any college transcripts
- Must be at least 18 years old
- Submit an application to the welding program
- Meet with a financial aid counselor to determine eligibility
Program cost:
Tuition and fees cost $1020 per semester (12 credits) for in-district students and $2,172 for out-of-district students. Financial aid is available for eligible students.
Website: https://www.hccs.edu/programs/areas-of-study/construction-industry–manufacturing/welding-technology/
Address: 6960 Rustic, Houston, TX 77087
Phone: 713-718-6839
South Coast Welding Academy
The intense master welding program offered by South Coast Welding Academy prepares students for employment in the industry. The curriculum covers all welding processes on plate and pipe including structural welding on flux cored/mig/stick/and tig and pipe welding on flux cored/mig,/stick and tig. Students can choose to specialize in pipeline welding or specialty alloy welding. All students will become proficient in all welding processes. Day and evening classes are offered. Day classes meet Monday through Friday from 7:00 am to 3:30 pm. Evening sessions Monday through Friday from 6:00 pm to 10:00 pm.
Program overview:
Master Welder Diploma
Duration: 24 weeks (daytime)
Clock hours: 1000
Prerequisites:
- Take a tour of the school’s facility
- Meet with an admission representative
- Have a high school diploma or GED
- Submit an application for admission
Program cost:
The cost of the program is $15,700. The cost includes all-metal (plate and pipe), welding rods, grinding disks, gases, consumables, books, and registration fee. Financial aid is available for eligible students.
Website: https://scweldingacademy.com/
Address: 2410 Broad St., Houston, TX 77087
Phone: (281) 506-7335
Email: info@scweldingacademy.com
Precision Welding Academy
Precision Welding Academy offers several welding programs to produce competent and professionals who will fill the need for welders in the Houston area. The team of welders and professional educators are committed to students’ success in the industry. As such, the school maintains small class sizes (15:1 student to teacher ratio) and preparation for AWS certification in the advanced welding program. Course topics include Introduction to Gas Metal Arc Welding, Intermediate Gas Metal Arc Welding/Flux Cord Arc Welding, Introduction to Blueprint Reading for Welders, Welding Safety, Tools, and Equipment, Intro to Oxy-Fuel Welding and Cutting, Intro to Shielded Metal Arc Welding, Advanced Blueprint Reading, Intermediate Pipe Welding, Welding Using Multiple Processes, Structural and Pipe Welding Using Multiple Processes, and Advanced Gas Tungsten Arc Welding. Day and night classes are offered. The day class meets Monday through Friday from 7:00 am to 3:30 pm. The night class meets Monday through Thursday from 6:00 pm to 11:00 pm.
Program overview:
Advanced Welding Diploma
Duration: 28 weeks (daytime) 52 weeks evening
Clock hours: 1000
Prerequisites:
- Take a tour of the school’s facility
- Meet with an admission representative
- Have a high school diploma or GED
- Submit an application for admission
Program cost:
The cost of the program is $17,680. Books and tools are not included in the cost. A discount of 10% is available to all military personnel.
Website: https://www.precisionweldingacademy.com/
Address: 18830 Gummert Road, Katy, TX, 77449,
Phone: 832-427-6587
Pipefitters Local Union 211
Pipefitters Local Union prepares students to become skilled and professional welders through its welding apprentice program. The union is one of over 300 local unions in the United Association of Journeymen and Apprentices of the Plumbing and Pipefitting Industry of the United States and Canada (UA). The premier welding training programs offered by Pipefitters include five-year apprenticeships, extensive journeymen training, instructor training, and certification programs. Graduates receive competitive salaries, medical benefits, and successful careers in the industry. Members are protected through the union contract with insurance, pension, and health and welfare benefits. The free welder’s training includes a paid apprenticeship, convenient night classes that meet two nights a week or weekends for five years.
Program overview:
Welders’ Apprenticeship
Duration: 5 years
Clock hours: N/A
Prerequisites:
- Must be an active member of the trade union
Program cost:
The training is free and includes a paid apprenticeship.
Website: http://www.pipefitterslocal211.com/free-welding-training-houston/
Address: 1301 W. 13th Street, Deer Park, TX 77536
Phone: (713) 649-0201
Griffin’s Industrial Welding School
Griffin prepares students to enter the welding industry as skilled professionals. The unique curriculum includes extensive one-on-one training to help students obtain entry-level and advanced techniques common to the industry. Apart from tactics and strategies employed in the classroom, students will have the opportunity to participate in a general apprenticeship to develop the learned skills. Instructors well understand the importance of fieldwork and provide opportunities for students to complete the accreditation projects in a real-world environment. Coursework includes Intro to SMAW, GMAW, and FCAW, Intro to Blueprints, Basic Welding Terminology, Shielded Metal Arc Welding on Carbon Steel Plates, Gas Metal Arc Welding on Carbon Steel Plates, and Flux Core Arc Welding on Carbon Steel Plates. Classes meet Monday through Thursday from 9:00 am to 9:00 pm for 12 weeks.
Program overview:
Welding Certification Program
Duration: 12 weeks
Clock hours: N/A
Prerequisites:
- Schedule an appointment with an admissions representative
- Submit an application for admission
- Must have a high school diploma or GED
- Must be at least 18 years old
Program cost:
A down payment of $1,500 is required before the first week of class. Financial aid is available to eligible students. Job placement assistance and consultancy is offered to all graduates.
Website: http://griffinweldingschool.com/
Address: 18703 W Little York Rd Katy, TX 77449 Suite 401 & 402
Phone: 281-782-9713
Email: griffinweldingschool@yahoo.com
MIAT College of Technology
MIAT College of Technology’s Welding Diploma program provides hands-on training and practical activities to prepare students for a rewarding career in the industry. Committed instructors provide one-on-one attention and personal support to disburse first-hand knowledge and give students the confidence they need to enter the workforce. Students will learn metal arc welding, soldering, pipe welding, tools and professional skills, drawings, symbols, and metal characteristics, and fitting and fabrication. The curriculum will also cover the latest trends and practices as well as the exact skills employers want from their new employees. Graduates will be prepared to take the certification exam to become a certified welder.
Program overview:
Welding Certification Program
Duration: 9 months
Clock hours: N/A
Prerequisites:
- Submit a completed application for admission online
- Meet with an admissions representative to discuss entry requirements, career goals, and expectations
Program cost:
Tuition and fees cost $35,975. Books and supplies cost an additional $584.
Website: https://miat.edu/programs/welding-technology-houston/
Address: 533 Northpark Central Drive, Houston, Texas 77073
Phone: 888-547-7047
Industrial Welding Academy
The Shielded Metal Arc Welding Pipe course offered by Industrial Welding Academy is one of five welding programs available. Students will learn arc welding safety and the Shielded Metal Arc Welding process (SMAW-Plate), techniques and electrode selection for welding plate to meet ASME welding code. The curriculum covers 96 clock hours of instruction including 24 hours of lecture and 72 hours of lab. Students must pass a skills test to complete the course. Graduates will be prepared to perform general entry-level production and maintenance welding and maintenance welding in various industries. They will receive a Certificate of Completion. Day and evening schedules are offered for students’ convenience. Other courses include Flux Core Arc Welding, Gas Metal Arc Welding, Gas Tungsten Arc Welding, and Shield Metal Arc Welding Plate. Morning and evening classes are available. Morning classes meet from 8:00 am to 12:00 pm. Evening classes meet 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm.
Program overview:
Shielded Metal Arc Welding Pipe
Duration: 6 weeks
Clock hours: 96
Prerequisites:
- Meet with admissions personnel
- Must be at least 17 years of age – applicants under 18 years must obtain written permission from a parent
- No high school diploma is required for admission
- Applicants without a high school diploma must pass a basic skills test and score at the 9th-grade level
Program cost:
The cost of the program is $3,100. It does not include registration, books, and supplies.
Website: http://iwatraining.com/
Address: 11001 Wallisville Rd, Houston, 77013
Phone: (713) 672-9353
Arclabs Welding School
AWS’ comprehensive welding program prepares adults to become skilled master welders with training in all four welding processes – GMAW, SMAW, FCAW and GTAW. The curriculum is designed to include 900 contact hours of theory and practical work and 400 hours for welding specialty metals like stainless steel and aluminum. Students will gain experience in pipe welding including safety codes for high-pressure pipes, high purity pipe or pipes in the oil and gas industry, structural welding that includes building large metal structures, repairing, cutting, and joining beams, columns, and girders, and welding alloy metals such as stainless steel, aluminum, and copper. Graduates will be eligible to apply for three AWS certifications to work as a professional welder in the industry. Day classes meet Monday through Thursday from 7:00 am to 4:00 pm and Friday from 7:00 am to 1:00 pm. Full-time evening classes meet Monday through Thursday from 3:45 pm to 11:30 pm and Friday from 2:00 pm to 11:30 pm.
Program overview:
Master Welder Program
Duration: 12 months
Clock hours: 1300
Prerequisites:
- Meet with admissions personnel
- Attend a campus tour which will include a tour of the welding labs and meeting with the instructor
- Meet with the financial aid staff to discuss financing and payment options
- Must have a valid high school diploma or GED
- The minimum age requirement is 18 years old or 17 years with parental consent
- Must be able to meet the visual and physical requirements of a welder
- Veteran students must supply transcripts from all post-secondary schools
Program cost:
The cost of the program is $23.000. Books, supplies, and the application fee are not included in the cost.
Website: https://www.arclabs.edu/
Address: 9510 North Houston Rosslyn Road, Houston, TX 77088
Phone: 281-501-8594
Fax: 864-236-7666
Barbara Jordan Career Center
The Welding program at Barbara Jordan Career Center provides high school students with the opportunity to learn and develop skills related to the processes and techniques used in commercial construction and fabrication industries. Welding safety is emphasized throughout the program. Students will spend half the day at their home campus to complete academic classes. The other half of the day will be dedicated to participation in the real-life career curriculum in the welding pathway. Graduates will earn 16 or more credits towards the structural welding certificate at Houston Community College.
Program overview:
Welding I & Welding II Dual Credit
Duration: 2 years
Clock hours: N/A
Prerequisites:
- Must have earned 12 high school credits before the start of the program
- Must be on track to graduate with classmates
- Must be enrolled in the 11th grade
Program cost:
Tuition is free for high school students.
Website: https://www.houstonisd.org/Page/59995
Address: 5800 Eastex Freeway Houston, TX 77026-1565
Phone: 713-636-6900
Fax: 713-636-6917
San Jacinto College
San Jacinto College is recognized as one of the largest and best-equipped welding training facilities in the region. Welding students will be exposed to the many facets of welding technology to access career paths in manufacturing and industrial settings. The comprehensive curriculum meets the needs of the welding industry with instruction in Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW) “Stick,” Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW) “MIG,” Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (GTAW) “TIG,” and Flux Cored Arc Welding (FCAW) processes, plus Oxy-Fuels. Courses include Introduction to Shielded Metal Arc Welding, Fundamentals of Oxy-Fuel Welding and Cutting, Introduction to Blueprint Reading, Introduction to Gas Tungsten Arc Welding, Intermediate Pipe Welding, Arts Metals Welding and CNC Fabrication, and Introduction to Flux Cored Arc Welding. Graduates will receive an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree and should be qualified to pass industry certification tests.
Program overview:
Welding Technology, AAS
Duration: 2 years
Credit hours: 60
Prerequisites:
- Pass routine drug testing
- Pass a criminal background check
Program cost:
Tuition costs $1,170 per semester for resident (in-district) students and $2,025 per semester for out-of-district residents of Texas. Books, supplies, and fees must be added to the cost.
Website: https://www.sanjac.edu/program/welding-technology
Address: 8060 Spencer Hwy., Pasadena, TX 77505
Phone: 281-998-6150
Email: Information@sjcd.edu