Does the thought of sitting at a desk or regimented hours make you cringe? You may want to consider a career as a welder if you have a solid work ethic and don’t mind learning a new skill at a welder school. Welders have the option to work in diverse industries, such as construction, aerospace, automotive, oil and gas, energy, and manufacturing. The fact is that more than 50 percent of products used today require some type of welding, so the demand for professional welders is great.
Welder schools provide students with the opportunity to develop skills that are as valuable as those developed in four-year colleges. The best part is that it takes less time and the likelihood of graduating with a mountain of student debt is almost nil. Certificate programs cover key welding processes and require a time commitment of less than 10 months. At the conclusion of the program, you can apply for national certification to improve your potential for advancement and higher salaries. Once you’ve acquired some experience and feel confident in your abilities, you might consider starting your own business and have the freedom to work when and how you want and pick the jobs you want to work on.
Gateway Community College – Central City
The clock-based Gas Tungsten Arc Welding Certificate of Competency program offered by Gateway College provides adults with skills for quick entry into the workforce. Students will be prepared for aerospace industry code certification testing in the gas tungsten arc welding process in carbon steel and stainless-steel (ferrous metals) and aluminum (non-ferrous). Graduates can pursue an AAS in Welding or pursue other certificates such as Gas Metal / Flux Cored Arc Welding (GMAW)/(FCAW), Shielded Metal Arc welding (SMAW) Plate, Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW) Pipe, and Shielded Metal Arc welding (SMAW) Plate and Pipe. Students will receive a Certificate of Competency after successful completion of the program hours.
Program overview:
Welding: Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (GTAW) Ferrous and Non-Ferrous
Duration: 7-8 months
Contact hours: 630
Prerequisites:
- Submit a completed application for admission
- Attend a Virtual Enrollment Session on one of the scheduled dates
- Must be at least 18 years of age
- Must have proper attire including safety glasses with side shields.
- Provide a copy of state or government-issued photo ID
Program cost:
The cost of the program is $4,637. The cost includes tuition, lab, and estimated books fees.
Website: https://www.gatewaycc.edu/welding
Address: 1245 East Buckeye Road, Phoenix, AZ 85034
Phone: (602) 238-4350
Refrigeration School, Inc.
RSI’s Welding Specialist program prepares students to receive hands-on training in welding processes such as shielded metal arc welding (SMAW), gas metal arc welding (GMAW), flux-cored arc welding (FCAW), and gas tungsten arc welding (GTAW). Instructors will cover basic welding procedures, welding safety best practices, and basic metallurgy. Courses are delivered in sequence and students must complete the prerequisite courses to advance in the program. Each segment comprises of 4 semester credit hours or 125 total contact hours (25 lecture hours and 100 lab hours). Graduates will receive a diploma upon completion and will be prepared for the American Welding Society welder certification and entry-level employment in thin alloy, pipeline welding, structural welding, and pipe welding.
Program overview:
Welding Specialist Training Program
Duration: 7 months
Contact hours: 750
Prerequisites:
- Complete a consultation with an Admissions Representative
- Visit the hands-on class and lab
- Submit a completed application for admission
- Schedule and attend an appointment with a Tuition Planner
- Must be at least 18 years of age
Program cost:
The estimated cost of the program is $19,824. The cost does not include books and supplies. Grants and scholarships are available for eligible students.
Website: https://www.rsi.edu/programs/welding-specialist/
Address: 4210 East Washington Street, Phoenix, AZ, 85034
Phone:(866) 820-0823
Arizona Automotive Institute
Arizona Automotive Institute’s comprehensive Combination Welding program prepares adults for fast employment in the welding industry. The program combines classroom lectures with hands-on practice in Shielded Metal Arc Welding, Gas Metal Arc Welding, Gas Tungsten Arc Welding, Flux-cored Arc Welding, Plasma Arc Cutting, Welding Repairs, Cleaning Welds, and Part Fabrication. Graduates will be prepared to take welding certification exams meeting the National Center for Construction Education & Research (NCCER) standards.
Program overview:
Combination Welding Program
Duration: 10 months
Credit hours: 54 quarter credit hours
Prerequisites:
- Must have a high school diploma or GED – a high school diploma, transcript, GED certificate, or other equivalent documents is required
- Attend an interview with an admission representative
- Meet with a Financial Aid Officer
- Meet with an Enrollment Compliance Officer or their designee to complete an enrollment agreement and required forms
- Undergo a background check
Program cost:
The total program cost of $20,663 includes tuition, books, tool kits, supplies, uniforms, and registration fee.
Website: https://www.aai.edu/programs/combination-welding/
Address: 6829 N. 46th Ave. Glendale, AZ 85301
Phone: 888-419-9440
Mesa Community College
The Associate in Applied Science (AAS) in Welding offered by Mesa Community College prepares students with skills in Oxy-Fuel welding and cutting (OFW) (OFC) and Shielded Metal Arc welding (SMAW) processes. There will be an emphasis on the skills required to work with modern industrial welding equipment. Students will gain advanced welding skills such as Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW), Flux Core Arc Welding (FCAW) and Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (GTAW). They will also have the opportunity to complete three or more certificates in areas such as Gas Metal / Flux Cored Arc Welding (GMAW)/(FCAW), Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (GTAW) Ferrous, Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (GTAW) Non-Ferrous, Shielded Metal Arc welding (SMAW) Plate, and Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW) Pipe. General education courses form an essential part of the requirements for the AAS degree.
Program overview:
Associate in Applied Science (AAS) in Welding
Duration: 2 years
Credit hours: 60-66
Prerequisites:
- Submit a completed application for admission
- Attend a Virtual Enrollment Session on one of the scheduled dates
- Must be at least 18 years of age
- Must have proper attire including safety glasses with side shields.
- Provide a copy of state or government-issued photo ID
- Must have a high school diploma or GED – a high school diploma, transcript, GED certificate, or other equivalent documents is required
Program cost:
Tuition costs $85 per credit for Maricopa County residents. Fees, books, supplies, and uniforms must be added to the cost.
Website: https://www.mesacc.edu/programs/welding
Address: 1833 West Southern Ave, Mesa, AZ 85202
Phone: 480-461-7000
Vern Lewis Welding Supply, INC
Vern Lewis offers MIG, TIG, Stick, and Flux-Cored process welding programs that expand adults’ understanding of welding processes. The training also includes preparation for certification. The modern training rooms are equipped with specialized equipment and fume extraction and a Virtual (VRTEX) Reality Simulator to provide in-class virtual reality welding simulation training experience for educational or industrial environments. Classes meet five days a week, Monday through Friday from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm.
Program overview:
Welding Certificate Programs
Duration: 20 weeks
Credit hours: N/A
Prerequisites:
- Submit a completed application for admission
- Must be at least 18 years of age
- Must have proper attire including safety glasses with side shields.
- Provide a copy of state or government-issued photo ID
- A high school diploma is recommended but not required
Program cost:
Tuition costs $75 per hour. Open lab sessions cost $45 per hour. Group and individual rates are available.
Website: https://vernlewis.com/welding-classes/
Address: 1745 W Deer Valley Road, Suite 100, Phoenix, Arizona 85027
Phone: (623) 738-0341
Fax: (623) 587-0862
East Valley Institute of Technology
The welding program at EVIT prepares students for a career in welding where they will work with diverse materials such as mild steel, stainless steel, and aluminum. The curriculum will cover metal fabrication and entry-level welding techniques to build and repair structures. Hands-on practice is an essential part of the program and provide the opportunity to work on customer projects using OXY/FUEL cutting, PLASMA cutting, SMAW, GMAW and GTAW welding. Graduates have an excellent chance of job placement and paid internships. They can also test for industry certification and become members of the American Welding Society.
Program overview:
Welding Program
Duration: 2-4 semesters
Credit hours: N/A
Prerequisites:
- Submit a completed application for admission
- Must have at least 6 high school credits including 1 math credit, with a C or better
- Must be on track to graduate or a plan for graduation
- Must have a 2.0 GPA or equivalent standardized test scores
Program cost:
Tuition and fees cost $7250. Books and supplies cost an additional $1,250.
Website: https://www.evit.com/cms/one.aspx?pageId=20598742
Address: 1601 W Main St, Mesa, AZ, 85201
Phone: 480-461-4000
Universal Technical Institute, Inc.
UTI’s Welding Technology program provides the hands-on training needed for employment as welders in diverse industries such as aerospace and automotive fabrication. Training will cover welding processes and equipment used in Gas Metal Arc (GMAW), Shielded Metal Arc (SMAW), Flux-Cored Arc (FCAW) and Gas Tungsten Arc (GTAW) welders. The curriculum was developed with Lincoln Electric. Course topics include Introduction to Welding, Safety, and Career, Principles of Welding, Gas Metal Arc Welding, Shielded Metal Arc Welding, Engineering and Fabrication, Flux-Cored Arc Welding, Gas Tungsten Arc Welding, Pipe Welding, and Welding Applications.
Program overview:
Welding Technology Training Program
Duration: 36 weeks
Credit hours: N/A
Prerequisites:
- A high school diploma recognized by the state – a copy of the diploma, a transcript, or a DD Form 214 as verification of high school graduation
- ATB test scores are accepted
- Must be at least 16 years of age – applicants under the age of 18 must have a parent or guardian execute the Enrollment Agreement
Program cost:
Tuition and fees cost $7250. Books and supplies cost an additional $1,250.
Website: https://www.uti.edu/programs/welding
Address: 10695 West Pierce Street, Avondale, AZ 85323
Phone: 623-245-4600