2 answers
trevor
Student
Pine Knot, Kentucky
3
Questions
Updated
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What should I do to prepare for the welding field?
I am interested in #welding
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2 answers
Hannah Ollen
Teacher
21
Answers
South Bend, Indiana
Updated
Hannah’s Answer
Hi Trevor,
Many people who are interested in welding get some sort of formal training through an apprenticeship or a technical school. Welding training can come as part of a larger industrial technology degree, or it can be taught on its own so that you leave the program with industry-recognized certifications. These certifications tell potential employers that you have the training to be a SAFE and SKILLED welder.
Some states have apprenticeship programs that pay you to work as an apprentice while you also get an education, and you typically leave the program as a journeyman, a skilled worker (see https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Journeyman for more info). Where I am in Indiana, for instance, we have a statewide apprenticeship program that offers job training and education in all sorts of areas, from carpentry to welding.
If you are interested in an apprenticeship program, I recommend doing a search for statewide or county programs - if you have a guidance counselor or career counselor at your school, they might know exactly where you can start! Otherwise, you can always reach out to a local community college to see what kinds of welding programs are available, and what kind of financial aid may be available to you.
Check out the Kentucky Department of Education's TRACK (apprenticeship) program in Welding: https://education.ky.gov/CTE/cter/Pages/Weld-TRACK-ST.aspx
Many people who are interested in welding get some sort of formal training through an apprenticeship or a technical school. Welding training can come as part of a larger industrial technology degree, or it can be taught on its own so that you leave the program with industry-recognized certifications. These certifications tell potential employers that you have the training to be a SAFE and SKILLED welder.
Some states have apprenticeship programs that pay you to work as an apprentice while you also get an education, and you typically leave the program as a journeyman, a skilled worker (see https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Journeyman for more info). Where I am in Indiana, for instance, we have a statewide apprenticeship program that offers job training and education in all sorts of areas, from carpentry to welding.
If you are interested in an apprenticeship program, I recommend doing a search for statewide or county programs - if you have a guidance counselor or career counselor at your school, they might know exactly where you can start! Otherwise, you can always reach out to a local community college to see what kinds of welding programs are available, and what kind of financial aid may be available to you.
Hannah recommends the following next steps:
Good advice, even if from the other side of the world!
Jason Hook
Rusty Russell
welder/consultant
3
Answers
Fort Worth, Texas
Updated
Rusty’s Answer
hi,
trevor go to school if you can, but my best advice is try it and see if you like it . i went through way too many years not knowing how much i loved welding just because i never picked up a welder . before you make any commitments keep in mind welding is something you can do anytime not just in a set place but at home or at your friends of family. start out stick welding, it's important ,then move on to other processes
trevor go to school if you can, but my best advice is try it and see if you like it . i went through way too many years not knowing how much i loved welding just because i never picked up a welder . before you make any commitments keep in mind welding is something you can do anytime not just in a set place but at home or at your friends of family. start out stick welding, it's important ,then move on to other processes