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Welders melt metal parts and fuse them together to create brand-new, superstrong objects. Welders work with their hands, using precise methods to create vital products for a variety of industries.
If you’re interested in becoming a welder, this collection of frequently asked questions addresses how do you become a welder, how long is the program at welding school, how can you attend welding school, how long is a welding certification in effect, and how much does welding school cost.
Welding is a trade that requires precision in order to execute jobs safely and correctly. If you're wondering how to become a welder, know that the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) states many employers prefer to hire welders who have been through a training program. One such program is the Welding Technology training program at Universal Technical Institute (UTI).
UTI's welding program teaches students basic fundamentals of welding, including gas metal arc (GMAW), shielded metal arc (SMAW), flux-cored arc (FCAW) and gas tungsten arc (GTAW). Students also learn:
Students are introduced to basic, common tools every welder users. All students learn how to use chipping hammers, grinders, magnets, protractors, squares, files and tape measures. In addition to hand tools, students have the opportunity to use machines they would find in a shop environment, like track torches, pipe cutters, plasma cutters, iron workers and pedestal grinders.
Having proper welding training in a safe and supportive environment helps UTI graduates go on to obtain jobs and succeed in professional settings. The outlook for welders is bright. According to the BLS, there are more than 49,000 estimated average annual job openings in the U.S. for welders, cutters, solderers and brazers.42
Want to know the answer to how long the program is at welding school? UTI's program is only 36 weeks. Students are taught courses that relate directly to their welding career goals, including Principles of Welding, Engineering and Fabrication, and Welding Applications.
“The curriculum utilizes real-life situations, which prepares students for work they would see in a welding profession,” says Brian Masumoto, welding instructor at UTI in Rancho Cucamonga, California. “As instructors, we find out what type of welding career the students want to get into and apply what’s in the curriculum to that specific job.”
Unlike traditional colleges that require students to take courses that may not relate to their career goals, UTI focuses on teaching students subjects they can use throughout their careers. This enables UTI to make the program more efficient. In less than a year, UTI welding graduates can be ready to be working in the field.5
To attend, the first step is to apply. UTI’s Welding Technology program is offered at campuses in Avondale, Arizona; Long Beach and Rancho Cucamonga, California; Lisle, Illinois; Bloomfield, New Jersey; and Dallas/Fort Worth and Houston, Texas. The program is scheduled to begin in early 2022 in Mooresville, North Carolina; and Austin, Texas; and is coming to Exton, Pennsylvania. You can apply at any time, since programs start every six weeks depending on the campus.
UTI's Admissions team can help you through the application process. Our Financial Aid team can help you apply for scholarships and other forms of financial aid to help pay for school.10
The answer to how long a welding certification lasts depends on the certification. There are professional certifications such as those offered by the American Welding Society (AWS). AWS certification remains valid as long as you submit a Maintenance of Welder Certification Form every six months as required by the Code of Acceptance that governs the test.
When you graduate from UTI, you receive a diploma to validate your formal training.
If you have questions about specific welding certifications or our diploma, contact UTI. We can help.
The answer to how much a welding school costs depends on a variety of factors. Some students are able to use grants and scholarships to help pay for school. Others take out loans to be repaid. Later, some graduates look for tuition reimbursement and incentives from employers to help pay for school.
Every student's financial situation is unique. The UTI Financial Aid office can help you explore your options, fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form and more.
As a welder, you have the opportunity to work in a vast array of diverse industries — from medical to aerospace, automotive to manufacturing, construction to custom fabrication. “There are so many career opportunities for welders that there isn’t just one that would offer a better outcome than another. That is up to the welder,” Masumoto says.
If you’re interested in learning more about how to become a welder, contact UTI. Get information about our Welding Technology training program so you can jump-start your welding career.
If you’re interested in learning how you can register for the Welding Technology program, click the link below, or call (800) 834-7308 to speak with one of our friendly Admissions Representatives.
