A welder is a skilled tradesperson who uses hand-held or remote-controlled equipment to apply heat to metal to connect or cut it. Filling holes, indentations, or seams is another aspect of his duties. Workers in the shipbuilding, construction, and industrial sectors use welding.
A high school diploma or equivalent, training, and industry certifications are typically required to become a welder. Depending on your career path, the time it takes to complete each step can change.
However, remember that it takes 6 months to 2 years to attend welding school and become a welder.
We will explain it in the article below.
Table of contents
- Who is a welder?
- What are the Types of Welding Jobs we have?
- Where Can Welders Be Employed?
- How Long is Welding School?
- What Are the Factors That Determine How Long Welding School is?
- How Long Do You Need to Spend in Welding School to Become a Welder?
- How Long Does it Take to Get Your Welding License?
- What is the Job Outlook for Welders?
- Which States Pay Welders the Highest Salaries?
- Why Should a Student Choose Formal Welding Training?
- FAQS on How long does it take to become a Welder
- Conclusion
- References
Who is a welder?
A welder is an expert who joins metals like aluminium.
These people put components together using tools that produce heat.
Additionally, welders patch up dents and fix metal structures.
A welder’s typical job duties include the following:
- Using blueprints and drawings to understand project requirements and plan layouts
- Choosing the proper welding tools and techniques based on the needs of the project
- Assembling the welding apparatus following the instructions
- Upkeep and repair of welding apparatus
- Welding different-sized parts
- Maintaining safety standards when welding
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What are the Types of Welding Jobs we have?
A welder can work in many kinds of professions. Some roles consist of:
- Aerospace Welders: Welders in the aerospace industry construct aircraft, missiles, satellites, and spacecraft.
- Military support welders create and fix metal components for equipment, vehicles, and buildings on and off base.
- Pipe welders, also known as pipeliners, join and fix pipe parts for constructions such as buildings and ships.
- Production welding: Production welders join metals for various uses in the manufacturing and construction sectors.
- Hyperbaric welding, often known as underwater welding, is used to sustain structures like offshore oil drilling rigs and shipbuilding by joining metals at extreme pressures.
Where Can Welders Be Employed?
Welders may work in the open air and from elevated platforms or scaffolds. They might also perform constrained indoor jobs. Welders often put in 40 hours per week, with occasional 10-hour shifts.
Typically, welders are employed in the manufacturing sector. Additionally, they collaborate with merchant wholesalers, speciality trade contractors, and repair and maintenance businesses.
Some more sectors they work in are:
- Automobile and aerospace industry
- Construction
- Energy
- Mining
- Petroleum
- Shipbuilding
How Long is Welding School?
Depending on the program one chooses, I can take between seven months to two years to complete welding school. Your educational path often affects how long it takes to become a welder. For instance, while a vocational school education can frequently be completed in less than a year, an apprenticeship may take many years to complete.
It varies how long it takes to complete the certification and welding school training program to become a welder and obtain all required qualifications.
It’s also important to remember that if your school offers a vocational program, you can start welding training as early as high school. Others might enrol in a trade school without any prior training.
What Are the Factors That Determine How Long Welding School is?
These factors determine how long it takes to complete welding school and become a welder.
GED/High School
The minimum educational need for welding is often a high school diploma or equivalent, such as a GED certificate, regardless of whether prospective welders opt for on-the-job training or a vocational school.
High school students considering this career might want to pay extra attention to their math, science, and shop class.
A GED certificate can be obtained in roughly three months, whereas a high school diploma typically takes four years.
Welder Training
Future welders have a variety of training alternatives, including apprenticeships, community colleges, welding training programs, vocational schools, and on-the-job training. After their welding course, students might earn a certificate, diploma, or associate degree.
Future welders receive training in welding operations, metallurgy, reading blueprints, and safety measures. Depending on the training, learning the welding trade could take a few months to a few years.
Without enrolling in a formal vocational training program, some welders begin their careers as workers and gain on-the-job training to develop in the industry. However, advancing from being a labourer to become a welder can take years.
Even though some employers would be prepared to recruit inexperienced entry-level employees and train them on the job, many prefer hiring individuals with training, qualifications, and certificates. That’s partly because, depending on their employer, even entry-level employees with formal technical training may need to complete several months of on-the-job training.
Certifications for Welders
Students frequently receive certification in particular welding technologies as part of their study. Students can earn certificates in various SMAW, GTAW, and FCAW procedures, for instance, from Delta Technical College.
Additionally, employers might run internal certification programs, particularly if they use specific machinery.
The American Welding Society (AWS), the American Petroleum Institute (API), and the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) are just a few organizations in the field that provide certificates. While certain certificates can be obtained during or shortly after welding school, others call for at least some job experience.
How Long Do You Need to Spend in Welding School to Become a Welder?
Many businesses prefer welders with formal training; however, some choose to pick up their skills on the job. Those who want to participate in welding training programs have two major choices: community college or vocational school. Other alternatives are also included in this article.
Vocational Schools
Welding skills are emphasized in a skilled trades training program at a vocational school.
For example, the practical welding program at Delta Tech includes instruction in pipefitting, shop safety, welding methods, and reading blueprints. Metal characteristics, cutting methods, safety instruction, rigging, metallurgy, and algebra are all covered in class.
The welding curriculum can be completed in seven months by students. They graduate and are given a diploma.
You should also read: Can You Get Your High School Diploma Online For Free
Community College
Students can get an associate degree by completing a two-year welding program at a community college. Due to schedules, some students might require more time to complete.
Community college welding programs offer the same subjects as vocational school welding programs, but students must additionally sign up for general education courses like English or History.
Bachelor’s degree
Bachelor’s degree programs in welding typically last four years to finish.
This program is rare.
These programs attract welders who are interested in design procedures and advanced production. The courses assist in teaching students with all welding theories, methods, and applications. They consist of computer-aided designs and automated machine welding.
These courses emphasize project management. They are completed in a collaborative, project-focused setting. Graduates are qualified to work as welding supervisors, consultants, and teachers. They could also be involved in the development of fresh welding techniques.
Associate Degree
Professionals who want to advance their careers enrol in associate degree programs. Usually, these courses cover the same courses as certificate programs. Associate programs, however, include metals’ theoretical and scientific components.
In addition to learning about actual welding techniques, students also study welding physics and chemistry.
The welding subfields can be specialized in through associate degree programs. These are welding for robotics and welding for automobiles.
Additionally, it prepares students to take the certification exams needed to become qualified to work as welding managers and supervisors.
The duration of an associate degree program is roughly two to three years.
How Long Does it Take to Get Your Welding License?
There is no specific time to get a welding license. Different states have different licensing requirements.
For instance, if a welding contractor works on a public project in Mississippi that costs $50,000 or more, or a private project that costs $100,000 or more, they must have a license. Before taking the welding exam, applicants must have the state’s prior approval.
Mississippi does not set a minimum requirement for job experience, but it does assume industry experience and requires proof of it. The Mississippi welding contractor license covers unlimited welding work.
The license examination comprises 60 questions and a two-hour time limit. Participants in the test are tested on topics such as oxyacetylene and cutting, reading blueprints and plans, brazing, pipe welding, materials, SMAW, GIAW, testing, and inspection. Welders must correctly answer 70% of the exam questions to pass.
To earn Mississippi’s welding license, candidates must also pass a business and legal management test.
Mississippi, Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana, Tennessee, and South Carolina have limited reciprocity agreements. In these states, welders must have had their license for at least three years.
What is the Job Outlook for Welders?
Between 2019 and 2029, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects a 3% increase in employment for welders. The national average for other jobs is 4%, slightly lower than this.
According to the BLS, welder jobs could increase when the country repairs its deteriorating infrastructure. Candidates for these jobs who are knowledgeable about current technologies and training may have an advantage.
Similarly, the BLS lists the ability to migrate as a competitive advantage.
See also: How Much Do Welding Schools Cost in 2023?
Which States Pay Welders the Highest Salaries?
Welders earn an average yearly pay of $38,399 in the United States. Due to their distant locations and difficult weather, certain regions pay welders extra. The states with the highest salaries for welders are:
- Alaska
- Connecticut
- Wyoming
- New Mexico
- Rhode Island
Why Should a Student Choose Formal Welding Training?
It might be simple to think about skipping welding school entirely. Why not take the easy road if you could go from high school straight into your profession? A formal welding program will equip you with the abilities you need for success and make you eligible for more employment openings, certification prospects, and greater pay.
The CBIA’s most recent poll indicates that as the manufacturing industry expands, more firms are looking for highly educated, highly trained people who can enter the workforce immediately.
Employers in Connecticut are looking for applicants who have postsecondary education, such as intensive training at the college level and certificate programs.
Starting this career in Connecticut entails working in one of the most important industries in the state. In actuality, the Nutmeg State is home to almost 4,000 manufacturing businesses, according to the CBIA. Connecticut has an estimated 159,000 manufacturing workers making over $95,000 a year.
Anyone interested in this practical position in Connecticut has a promising future.
Welders can anticipate professional satisfaction, employment stability, and career progression in this dynamic field. Manufacturing facilities are constantly updating and upgrading equipment to boost efficiency and precision thanks to technological breakthroughs.
Those with the right training can enter this area with an advantage over the competition and be prepared to learn about new and upgraded equipment immediately.
See also: 15 Best Welding Schools in Tulsa | 2023 Requirements
FAQS on How long does it take to become a Welder
A welding curriculum could be finished in as little as a few weeks, six months, or as long as two years.
The longest program to accomplish is a welding bachelor’s degree, which takes four years to complete. A certification course that lasts between six to 18 months, along with an associate’s degree.
The capacity for thoroughness and attention to detail.
Engineering science and technology expertise.
Ability to operate independently.
Operate, maintain, and repair equipment.
Design expertise and information.
Understanding of math.
Ability to use your hands effectively.
The program will be completed in about 38 months.
Welders typically put in 38 to 40 hours per week, with the possibility of overtime and shift work.
Conclusion
Several steps are required to become a welder, including training, certifications, and any relevant licenses. How long welding school is for each level relies on various elements, including your educational preferences, personal skills, and job demands.
However, enrolling in a vocational welding training program is the quickest way.
References
- Goodwin.edu – How Long is Welding School 2023
- waterwelders – How Long is Welding School 2023
- Indeed – How Long is Welding School 2023
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