How to Prepare for Welding School: 7 Steps

Your first day of welding school doesn’t have to be intimidating! From choosing the right school to leaning on available support services, there are several things you can do to prepare yourself for the journey ahead. Turn your nerves into excitement by following the seven steps outlined in this blog!  

Importance of Welding Career Training 

Before you can choose the right welding school, it’s important to understand why attending one before pursuing a career can be beneficial. 

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) states that technical training on top of a high school diploma is usually required to enter the field. They also share that most employers prefer to hire entry-level candidates who have attended a formal training program. These candidates bring a basic understanding of blueprinting, shop math and mechanical drawing that employers can build upon. 

The right welding school will also help prepare students to pursue entry-level roles after graduation with confidence. Let’s discuss how to choose the right one. 

1. Choose the Right Welding School 

If you’ve been running “welding schools near me” searches, you likely have several welding training programs to sift through. To make the selection process easier, ask yourself these four questions: 

What are my career goals? 

Choosing a welding school that can help students reach their career goals is crucial. 

UTI’s welding school helps students pursue their goals in a variety of ways, one of the most prominent being through our Career Services department.¹ Our career service specialists work with employers across the country to help students find and pursue potential career opportunities that are a good fit for them. They also help prepare students for the application process through resume development, interview training, career coaching and more. 

Not to mention, alumni can turn to our Career Services team for assistance finding potential career opportunities. 

How do I learn? 

Make sure the training model matches your learning style. Welding is a hands-on career. Therefore, most aspiring welders learn by doing, or are kinesthetic learners. If that sounds like you, look for a school with a hands-on curriculum. UTI’s welding school consists of 12 hands-on welding courses.

Will the welding classes provide me with relevant training?  

Make sure the welding school you’re interested in has an industry-aligned curriculum that helps prepare students to pursue entry-level roles as soon as they graduate. You can gauge this by asking the school what kind of industry relationships they have and how those relationships play a role in their training. 

Strong industry relationships suggest the welding school teaches students in-demand skills. 

UTI created its program with the help of Lincoln Electric – a manufacturing and design leader in welding technology. Not only do students train with VRTEX® virtual welders that simulate situations similar to those seen in the field, but they are also taught the four types of arc welding that are used by several industries, including automotive fabrication, boat-building, oil rigging and more. 

How long do I want to attend school? 

Some welding training programs last longer than others. Ask yourself how much time you’re willing and able to commit. UTI’s welding courses can be completed in less than nine months and start every six weeks, so aspiring welders can begin preparing for a career as soon as possible. 

2. Meet the Requirements 

Another part of ensuring the welding school is a good fit is ensuring you meet the requirements. The admissions team should be able to help you through this. 

Most trade schools require a high school diploma or equivalent. UTI requires this. However, no previous experience in welding is necessary. The program is designed to build students’ knowledge from the ground up. 

3. Ask About Financial Assistance 

Welding school is an investment, and welding training costs can deter some students. Before backing down, contact UTI’s Financial Aid team to help with your FAFSA completion to determine whether you qualify for financial aid programs. UTI is also making more than $15 million in scholarships and grants available this year to those eligible.¹⁰

Check out our scholarship application guide to get started! 

4. If Moving, Plan Early 

If your top-choice welding school requires relocation, be sure to plan ahead. Practical advice includes:

• Making a list of things you’ll need to bring along
• Exploring the surrounding area
• Looking for employment in the area (UTI’s Career Services department can help students look for flexible work that fits their school schedule) 

If the school has a Housing Assistance department, get in touch with them. UTI teams with housing companies that can assist students in finding shared or independent housing near campus. Whether you need roommates or rental terms that fit your needs, they can aid you in your search.

You can also ask them what type of living supplies you’ll need, what you can leave behind, as well as what you should be prepared for financially. Another way to get prepared for the move is by visiting the campus! 

5. Visit the Campus 

If you're considering a career in welding, visiting a school's campus could be a game-changer in how prepared you feel. Campus tours offer insight into the learning environment, allow you to observe instructors in action, ask questions, and familiarize yourself with the campus. 

UTI offers its welding training courses at 12 state-of-the-industry campuses across the country, including: 

• Avondale, AZ
• Long Beach, CA 
• Rancho Cucamonga, CA
• Sacramento, CA
• Miramar, FL
• Lisle, IL
• Bloomfield, NJ
• Mooresville, NC 
• Exton, PA
• Austin, TX
• Dallas/Fort Worth, TX
• Houston, TX 

During a campus tour, you will walk through our hands-on labs and get to see the industry-standard technologies and equipment our students train with. Sign up for a tour here. 

6. Get Involved in Student Life 

As previously mentioned, welding school is an investment. Why not make the most of it by diving into the school culture?  

Build and maintain relationships with your classmates and instructors. Not only can students learn from and encourage one another, but those relationships may prove helpful throughout a welding career. 

At UTI, we believe that networking and building connections are crucial to success. The value we place on relationships is often evident to potential students when they tour the campus and witness our upbeat, supportive learning environment. 

Aside from building relationships, keep track of upcoming events. UTI hosts several that allow students to introduce themselves and talk with potential employers! 

7. Get Ready To Learn 

Welding is a specialized skill that requires a lot of practice. Therefore, it’s important for welders to love learning. Maintaining a growth mindset will assist them in continually perfecting their skill. 

With that said, walk into your first day of welding school with an open mind and a good attitude. These traits are also appealing to employers.  

Empire Caterpillar service lead manager, John Esquibel, explained, “One of the main things that we look for in a qualified welder is attitude. Attitude is a big thing here at Empire that we look for. How motivated the person is, how well they work with others, and how professional they are – those are the main things that we tend to try to look for.” 

Welding School FAQ 

What kind of math does a welder need to know?

Welders perform precise measurements, calculate force and determine melting points. Therefore, they’re often proficient in geometry, trigonometry, fractions, decimals and formulas. Welding training programs can teach aspiring welders these skills.  

What is essential to practice welding? 

Essential to practice welding is being under the eye of an industry professional through structured welding training classes.

How long does it take to train to become a welder? 

The amount of time it takes to train to become a welder depends on the path taken to do so. UTI’s welding school is just 36 weeks from start to finish. 

Prepare for Welding School at UTI!

The first day of welding school is the beginning of the pursuit of a career path doing something exciting, and we hope this guide has helped you properly prepare for the journey. Still, have questions? Request more info, and we’ll connect you with an Admissions representative!