The welding industry is interwoven with our daily lives. The profession spans industries such as transport, energy, construction, automotive, and many others. With such a critical role, it is alarming that there is a lack of interest in this trade among the current generation. According to the American Welding Society, the majority of welders are in their mid-fifties and the U.S. will face a shortage of 400,000 skilled welders in the next decade.
Welding schools in New York and across the country are working with industries to attract newcomers. From short-term to longer-term programs, progressive learning, apprenticeships, incentives, and financial aid, there are many options to learn this trade.
NYC Buildings oversees the licensure of welders in New York. Candidates for a license must be at least 18 years old, be able to read and write the English language, and have a good moral character. There is an option to complete one of two exams – The American Welding Society (AWS) Manual-Shield Metal Arc Welding Process certifications or the New York State Department of Transportation Field Welder Certification Manual-Shielded Metal Arc Welding Process. All applicants must submit details for a background investigation to the Licensing and & Exams Unit before the license can be issued.
New York City College of Technology Division of Continuing Education
New York City College of Technology offers several welding courses geared for those seeking a new career or upgrade their current skills. Courses include the Welding Pro Course (12 hours), Basic Electric Arc Welding (84 hours), Advanced Electric Arc Welding (42 hours), and Tungsten Inert Gas (TIG) Welding (70 hours).
Program overview:
Basic Electric Arc Welding
Duration: 4 weeks
Contact hours: 84 hours
Courses:
Arc Welding with Metal Electrodes and Carbon Arcs, Sources of Electricity for Welding, Welding Circuits, Types of Electrodes, Current Controls, AWS Classifications, Standard Welding Symbols, Physical Testing of Weldments, Sample Weld Specimens, Rates of Arc Travel
Prerequisites:
- A high school diploma or GED
- Relevant experience in the industry
- Permission of the instructor
Program cost:
Tuition for the Basic Arc Welding program is$2,295. Students are expected to purchase proper safety apparel including welding aprons, work shoes, gloves, and goggles or hood. The estimated cost for safety items is $275.
Website: https://www.citytechce.org/welding.html
Address: 300 Jay Street, Howard Building, 4th floor, Brooklyn, NY 11201
Phone: 718-552-1170
Michael Daniel Metal Design, Inc.
Michael Daniel Metal Design offers an Introduction to Welding and Metal Sculpting Class is not a certification course. The training covers basic welding and metal sculpting techniques. Apart from welding, students will also learn the safe operation of power tools used in metal sculpting and fabrication. The class is designed to accommodate students with no prior experience in welding or sculpting. A maximum of 7 students are admitted with each cycle. Classes meet once a week from 6:30 pm to 9:30 pm.
Program overview:
Introduction to Welding and Metal Sculpting Class
Duration: 5 weeks
Contact hours: 15 hours
Courses:
Oxy-acetylene Gas Welding, MIG Welding, ARC Welding
Prerequisites:
- No experience or prior training is required to enroll in the program
Program cost:
The cost of the program is $595. It includes al the necessary materials.
Website: http://www.michaeldanielmetal.com/welding-classes-new-york-city
Address: 22-14 40th Avenue, 3rd Floor, Long Island City, Queens, NY
Phone: 718-707-9655
Apex Technical School
The Combination Welding Program at Apex Technical School prepares students for entry-level positions in the industry. Training will include theory and practical experiences in the shop in the essential skills need for a career in welding. Coursework will include the gas and electric welding processes, reading blueprints for metal layout and fabrication including exotic metals, pipe welding, and tube welding, and manual and automatic cutting techniques.
Program overview:
Introduction to Welding and Metal Sculpting Class
Duration: N/A
Contact hours: 900 hours
Courses:
Blueprint Reading and Fabrication, Oxyacetylene Welding, Cutting, and Brazing, Basic Shielded Metal Arc Welding, Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (GTAW), Advanced Shielded Metal Arc Welding
Prerequisites:
- Must be at least 17 years old and have parental consent (for applicants under 18 years)
- Must have a high school diploma or equivalency. Candidates with no high school diploma must take and pass a standardized exam
- Attend an interview with an Admissions Representative
- Sign the Enrollment Agree and pay the application fee
Program cost:
The approximate cost of the program is $15,695. Textbooks and supplies are not included in the cost. Financial aid is available for qualifying students.
Website: https://apexschool.com/
Address: 24-02 Queens Plaza South, Long Island City, NY 11101
Phone: (212) 645-3300
Long Island Welding School
Long Island Welding School offers a Basic Welding Course, an Intermediate Welding Course, and an Advanced Welding Course. The Basic Welding Course is designed for beginners with no experience. Graduates have the option to continue to the Intermediate and Advanced Welding courses. Long Island Welding School is an approved American Welding Society Accredited Test Facility so students can take the state exam onsite. Classes meet Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 8:00 am to 12:00 pm or 12:00 pm to 4:00 pm or 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm. Saturday and Sunday classes are also available. Boot rentals are available for students who want to prepare for AWS qualification.
Program overview:
Basic Intermediate and Advanced Welding Courses
Duration: 2 weeks
Contact hours: 24 hours
Courses:
Safety, Principles of SMAW, GMAW, & TIG, Wire Selection, Gas Selection, Welder Settings
Prerequisites:
- Must be at least 17 years old and have parental consent (for applicants under 18 years)
- Make a deposit of $200 to sign up
- Pay the tuition in full before the start date unless arrangements have been made for payment over time
- Must purchase equipment and uniform
Program cost:
The cost for each program is $2,500. The cost includes all-steel material, welding equipment and gas. Students must provide their own helmet, welding jacket, welding gloves and work boots.
Website: http://www.longislandweldingschool.com/
Address: 59a Urban Ave, Westbury, NY 11590, United States
Phone: 516-997-8586
The Welding Expert Inc.
The Welding Expert offers various training options for beginner and expert welders, including the all-inclusive welding course. This training option starts with the fundamental concepts of welding with opportunities to apply the knowledge gained in real-world settings under the guidance of expert instructors. Students will then progress to advanced courses such as pipe welding which will help them qualify for ASME Code welding in all positions and for all thicknesses. The program covers four phases. The first phase introduces students to the craft of welding followed by Horizontal, Vertical and Overhead plate positioning covered in phase two, preparation for pipe welding qualification test or periodic code testing in phase three, and requirements of ASME IX for various qualifications in phase four. TWE currently works with the NYS Department of Education with Access VR for the welding specialty program. They are also certified for the AWS SENSE program, NYS DOT welder certifications, and are an approved vendor for NYC DOB Pipe welder qualifications. In addition to the all-inclusive course, they offer other full-length courses, brush-up workshops, and specialty workshops for the beginner, intermediate, and advanced students.
Program overview:
Basic Intermediate and Advanced Welding Courses
Duration: Varies
Contact hours: 15 hours
Courses:
Principles of SMAW, GMAW, & TIG, Welding Steel Plates in Flat, Horizontal, Vertical and Overhead Positions
Prerequisites:
- Must be at least 18 years old – applicants under 18 must have parental consent
- Register for the workshop of choice
- Make arrangements to pay the required tuition
- Must purchase required equipment
Program cost:
Tuition starts at $1,750 for 15 hours of instruction. An all-inclusive $1,950 program is also available. The Welding Expert also offers pay-as-you-go training.
Website: http://www.theweldingexpert.com/
Address: 101 Rome Street, Farmingdale, NY 11735
Phone: (347) 668-5396