Welding Schools...For Welding Certification, there is Hobart, Tulsa, Lincoln...and the new Kid on the Block...WEC

"Going to Welding School might be the best decision you ever made "

"Welding Certification Tests are part of the gig "

There are only 3 Big ones. But Which one is the best?

Choosing a welding Program is a big deal and here is why:

It might make the difference whether you become so-so welder, or a well paid skilled craftsman in high demand.

Costs vary greatly but honestly, five years down the road the costs will be forgotten and all that will matter is what you can do.

Not what you know. Not how many friends you made. But what you can do.

That is what employers pay for and what they want.

So let's focus on welding schools that teach you what you need to actually do something when you graduate.

There are three main welding schools that focus on training welders to be able to pass welding certification tests as a main goal. And lets face it. If you cant pass the test, you don’t get the job.

I would not be at all interested in attending a welding school whose objective it was to make me an "entry level welder". What kind of an objective is that?

and why would you spend time and money learning how to be an entry level worker? For many local technical colleges, that is exactly their stated objective…to provide an entry level welder.

Some Welding Schools need to be overhauled and funded with the right materials to train for welding certification in pipe welding, thin sheet metal, as well as structural welding.

The Big 3 Welding Schools

Tulsa Welding Program

Structural Welder which takes only 3 1/2 months to complete, and costs roughly $7,000-8,000 for tuition

And

Master Welder which takes 7 months to complete and costs roughly $14,000 for tuition.

the difference? The Master welder program teaches all the major process (TIG, Stick, Mig, Flux Core) and utilizes not only structural plates and pipe, but also thin sheet metal.

95 % of students choose the master welder program because it is a better value and produces a more well rounded welder.

Hobart Institute of Welding Technology (HIWT)

A great feature of Hobart institute of welding is that they also offer several smaller modules of training courses that are very affordable and very specific like "titanium tig welding"

One particular program that is a tremendous value is their 2 week Basic Tig welding course. This course has no prerequisite and only costs about 800 dollars for tuition.

What a great way for someone to dip their toe in and test the water without a big commitment or investment.

Lincoln Welding Training

In addition on offering the standard programs for structural and pipe welding utilizing all major processes, Lincoln welding offers a 1 week GTAW TIG welding class for only $400 .

They also offer a motor sports welding class that specifically deals with welding skills needed (GTAW,GMAW,OXYFUEL and plasma cutting) ,for racing in NASCAR, NHRA and other venues.

Lincoln Motorsports welding

Course format includes:

* Safety

* Hands on Welding

* Classroom lecture and discussion

* small Class size of 12 students The Basic Motorsports Welding Program covers :

• TIG Welding (GTAW) • Gas Selection and affects• Polarity settings• Tungsten Selection ..which kind to use• Square Wave for welding aluminum • Pulse Welding MIG Welding (GMAW) • Short Arc mig• Spray Arc mig• New Processes • Basic Metallurgy • Metal Identification and Classification • Pre and Postheat • Chrome-Moly techniques • Proper Filler Metal and Base Metal Selection • Aluminum Alloys • Stainless Alloys • Carbide Control • Oxy Fuel Cutting • Plasma Cutting • Welding vs. Brazing vs. Soldering • Open Lab Time

The Lincoln motorsports school is also a good way for someone to test the water before choosing a welding school. It only costs a few hundred bucks and if you are in the process of visiting welding schools, this is a good option.

What about the new Kid?...WEC Welding Training