What is the best schools or programs for someone to enroll for?

by Jimmy
(United States)

I have no welding exp at all. I am finally going to get into welding after many years of procrastination( since I was laid off from my forming profession).

I don't want to invest in a bogus school or program that only wants money or to sell student loans.
I have read about apprenticeships, community colleges and so on. Everyone says they are the best and they should since they are selling themselves.

But, as people that are in the industry what is the best avenue for me to take? Some say they can have you ready to weld in 90 days others say 2 years. I am not in a hurry since safety is very important to me.

I don't wish to get into a situation where I am not of the correct training even if I have a certification..if that make sense...I want to be really good at this and taking short cuts is not something I want to do just to get out and make $10 hour. I live with oil rigs and plants all around me and don't want to get training that lands me in a hell hole.

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Jimmy,
I think the best way to dip your toe in the water is Hobart's 2 week tig welding class.

It costs around 800 bucks, no prerequisites required. and you will get 2 weeks of seat time tig welding steel, stainless steel, and aluminum.

You should get a pretty good feel if its something you want to pursue after 2 weeks.

After that, you can decide between Hobart, Tulsa, WEC, or a local tech college.

Hobart is solid, I cant speak with confidence about Tulsa just because I dont have first hand knowledge.

WEC is free. if you agree to work for 24 months at a reduced scale. they have campuses in Rock Hill SC and Chattanooga TN

just google WEC welding training.

local colleges can be great or they can suck. Depends on the instructor.

here is the bad news. Pipe welding tends to pay the most and will most likely require working in some Hell holes.