<p>A <a href="https://www.uti.edu/blog/welding/welding-career-training-benefits" data-sf-ec-immutable="">career in welding</a> can be exciting, attracting skilled professionals who enjoy hands-on work.</p><p>If you see yourself in a detail-oriented role that requires creative problem-solving and invigorating challenges, becoming a welder could be the path for you.</p><p>Students interested in pursuing a welding career can enroll in the 36-week <a href="/programs/welding">Welding Technology program</a> at Universal Technical Institute for technical training. UTI provides students with hands-on training in four main types of arc welding:</p><ul><li><a href="https://www.uti.edu/blog/welding/gmaw-mig-welding" data-sf-ec-immutable="">Gas metal arc welding (GMAW)</a></li><li><a href="/blog/welding/flux-core-welding">Flux-cored arc welding (FCAW)</a></li><li><a href="https://www.uti.edu/blog/welding/tig-welding-gas-tungsten-arc-welding" data-sf-ec-immutable="">Gas tungsten arc welding (GTAW)</a></li><li><a href="https://www.uti.edu/blog/welding/smaw-shielded-metal-arc-welding" data-sf-ec-immutable="">Shielded metal arc welding (SMAW)</a></li></ul><p>Keep reading to learn more! We&rsquo;ll explain <a href="/programs/welding">how to become a welder</a> and the skills needed for the industry.<sup>1</sup></p><h2>Welder Job Description</h2><p>Welders are technicians who use different processes to join metal materials together, most commonly by melting the base metals and adding filler material. This process creates a molten weld pool, which cools to form a strong joint.</p><p>These skills also help welding technicians perform metalwork diagnosis, repairs and maintenance. Many industries employ welders to create parts and goods used in our everyday lives, including:</p><ul><li>Manufacturing &amp; fabrication</li><li>Construction and infrastructure</li><li>Automobile manufacturing and maintenance</li><li>Railroad</li><li>Shipbuilding</li><li>Aerospace</li><li>Pipeline transportation</li></ul><p>Welders can work either indoors or outdoors, depending on the <a href="/programs/welding/types-welding">type of welding process</a> being used and the specific industry or project.</p><p><a href="https://www.uti.edu/blog/welding/how-to-become-a-traveling-welder" data-sf-ec-immutable=""><strong>Read</strong></a><a href="https://www.uti.edu/blog/welding/how-to-become-a-traveling-welder" data-sf-ec-immutable="">: How to Become a Traveling Welder</a></p><h2>Welding Traits</h2><p>Some of the most <a href="/programs/welding/traits">important traits for welding include</a>:</p><ul><li><strong>Attention to detail: </strong>It&rsquo;s critical to perform welds correctly with proper setup and preparation, as well as to inspect welds for flaws or issues as you go. Failure to identify welding defects like porosity, slag inclusions, arc strikes and other discontinuities will affect the weld&rsquo;s structural integrity.</li><li><strong>Mathematical skills:</strong> Welding requires mathematical skills, as welders often <a href="https://www.uti.edu/blog/welding/welding-blueprint-symbols" data-sf-ec-immutable="">review sketches and blueprints</a>. They also need to calculate dimensions while cutting and trimming metal.</li><li><strong>Experience with various welds: </strong>Knowing one type of process is beneficial, but becoming a combination welder with extensive knowledge of multiple welding types will help you demonstrate that you can successfully complete various welding projects.</li><li><strong>Hand-eye coordination:</strong> Welding is a precise skill that requires constant use of your hands. Having good hand-eye coordination is necessary, along with correct depth perception.</li></ul><p><img sf-custom-thumbnail="true" src="/images/default-source/blog/skills-needed-to-be-a-welder/how-to-become-welder_embed.webp" height="428" sf-constrain-proportions="false" width="800" alt="" sf-size="58316" /></p><p>These are just a few of the many skills that can help technicians pursue a welding career. A decent work ethic and a passion for the craft, as with any other profession, can also make a big difference.</p><p><a href="http://uti.edu/blog/welding/becoming-a-welder-in-fl/" data-sf-ec-immutable=""><strong>Read</strong></a><a href="https://www.uti.edu/blog/welding/how-to-become-a-welder-in-florida" data-sf-ec-immutable="">: How to Become a Welder in Florida</a></p><h2>How to Get Into Welding</h2><p>Do you need a degree for welding? <a href="/training/degrees-diplomas-certificates">What about a certificate of completion</a>?</p><p>There are no federal regulations on how to become a welder, so there&rsquo;s no training required for welding, though some states and parts of the industry may mandate specific credentials.</p><p>That means there is no particular estimated timeline for becoming a welder. Certain types of training can either lengthen or shorten that journey by months or years. Your training strategy can influence how well you develop vital welding skills and establish credibility on paper.</p><p>Having said that, here are some steps you can take to help get started as a welder.</p><h3>Get a High School Diploma or GED</h3><p>Entry-level welding jobs frequently require a high school diploma or GED diploma. Admission to trade schools like UTI typically requires a high school diploma or GED. These documents demonstrate previous completion of a structured curriculum, which can indicate an applicant&rsquo;s readiness for an advanced technical program.</p><h3>Attend a Trade Program</h3><p>Welding is best taught in controlled classrooms and labs with industry professionals providing instructional guidance and support. In these settings, students use modern welding technologies to put theoretical fundamentals into practice, which can help them correct, learn and polish hands-on skills required for welding roles.</p><p>So, if you want to pursue a welding career, get the right training! After earning your high school diploma or GED, enrolling in a program like the 36-week <a href="/programs/welding">Welding Technology program</a> at UTI will help you get training on major welding processes.</p><h3>Pursue a Career</h3><p>Welding is an important trade for many manufacturing practices. As previously stated, this includes manufacturing for a wide range of industries like construction, aerospace and agriculture!</p><p>Whatever sector they choose to pursue, most UTI graduates begin their careers as entry-level technicians or other entry-level roles in the welding industry. It also helps to understand some important statistics about the welding industry:</p><ul><li>There are more than 47,000 estimated average annual welding job openings in the United States.<sup>42</sup></li><li>Total welder employment is expected to exceed 434,000 by 2031.<sup>50</sup></li></ul><p>Continually building experience can help improve your technical knowledge and skills. Once you&rsquo;ve spent time in the field, you could eventually work your way up into <a href="/programs/welding/careers">other positions</a>, like welding inspector or welding project manager.<sup>77</sup></p><p><a href="https://www.uti.edu/blog/welding/resume-tips-examples" data-sf-ec-immutable=""><strong>Read</strong></a><a href="https://www.uti.edu/blog/welding/resume-tips-examples" data-sf-ec-immutable="">: How to Create Your Welding Resume: Examples and Tips</a></p><h2>Learn How to Become a Welder With Training at UTI!</h2><p>How hard is it to become a welder? There are no specific federal regulations on how to become a welder. However, professional hands-on training can make a difference, and UTI offers it so students can pursue careers in the field after graduation.</p><p>Our Welding Technology program lasts 36 weeks. Students in this program learn fundamental welding skills that help prepare them for various entry-level welding positions!</p><p>Find out more about the program by <a href="/request-info">requesting information here</a> or contacting 1-800-834-7308. <a href="/forms/enroll-now">Apply to our welding school</a> whenever you&rsquo;re ready to start learning!</p>