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Stephon
Student
New Orleans, Louisiana
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how long does welding training last ?
How long do I have to train to become a welder ? #welding
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2 answers
Leslie Brown
Maintenance Fitting And Machining Instructor at Don Bosco, TNA - NC 3 Trainer.
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Leslie’s Answer
160 hours of course work is more appropriate to me
matthew mcmahon
Welder Fabricator at ASC Process Systems
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Los Angeles, California
Updated
matthew’s Answer
I just finished welding school at los angeles trade technical college in 2017.
I went to college Monday-Friday non stop for sometimes 8 hours per day and finished the program in 1 year 2016-2017. I think it was 60 units or so.
Some colleges only require 30 units to complete a welding program.
Learning how to weld is about how fast you can acquire the skill. The more practice you can get, the faster you will get better.
You can learn to be a welder from your dad, maybe a job will let you burn rod on your breaks, but school is by far the best and cheapest option for practice. All my welding rod/wire was provided for me free. I got hours of practice and was able to become proficient in various welding processes GTAW, GMAW, SMAW, and FCAW.
Some welding processes are easier to learn than others. GMAW/mig welding is the easiest and can be taught to a hobbyist relatively quickly. Electricians who are not trained welders at my current job mig small welds with relatively no issues all the time.
GTAW or tig welding is very difficult because it requires more dexterity in each hand.
All the technical jargon set aside... just a little over a year ago, all I had done is work in offices.
After 1 year of welding school which was dirt cheap at my community college, I landed a job with a great company within a few months of graduating . I already completed my general education so I have an associates degree in welding technology. no certifications.
Just remember that you have to learn a skill and theory. So if you cannot remember temperatures, pressures, basic math and science, it will be harder to understand how to fix a problem.
Also, if you have shakey hands whether it be a medication you are taking that increases your heart rate, a genetic thing, or you partied too much, welding is definitely not an option. WELDING REQUIRES A STEADY HAND. Same thing with becoming a neuro surgeon, sniper, or anything else where hand and eye coordination are key.
If you can weld, you are not guaranteed $100k a year jobs unless you master your trade and know metals inside and out. I'm hoping I can get to that kind of salary in a few short years.
But if you can weld and have decent fabrication skills, after getting a year of experience you should be able to make a minimum of $20/hour anywhere in the US.
There are over a million doctors in America but fewer than 500k welders. Our skills are needed for manufacturing buildings, water treatment, aviation, etc...
Without welders, machinists, and other tradespeople, an engineer's drawing is nothing more than a drawing until we make it a reality.
Doctors cannot work without the hospitals and instruments we help build/fabricate. Firefighters, police, military, anyone who works in a steel structure, rocket components that will take people to mars... all need welders in some way.
I went to college Monday-Friday non stop for sometimes 8 hours per day and finished the program in 1 year 2016-2017. I think it was 60 units or so.
Some colleges only require 30 units to complete a welding program.
Learning how to weld is about how fast you can acquire the skill. The more practice you can get, the faster you will get better.
You can learn to be a welder from your dad, maybe a job will let you burn rod on your breaks, but school is by far the best and cheapest option for practice. All my welding rod/wire was provided for me free. I got hours of practice and was able to become proficient in various welding processes GTAW, GMAW, SMAW, and FCAW.
Some welding processes are easier to learn than others. GMAW/mig welding is the easiest and can be taught to a hobbyist relatively quickly. Electricians who are not trained welders at my current job mig small welds with relatively no issues all the time.
GTAW or tig welding is very difficult because it requires more dexterity in each hand.
All the technical jargon set aside... just a little over a year ago, all I had done is work in offices.
After 1 year of welding school which was dirt cheap at my community college, I landed a job with a great company within a few months of graduating . I already completed my general education so I have an associates degree in welding technology. no certifications.
Just remember that you have to learn a skill and theory. So if you cannot remember temperatures, pressures, basic math and science, it will be harder to understand how to fix a problem.
Also, if you have shakey hands whether it be a medication you are taking that increases your heart rate, a genetic thing, or you partied too much, welding is definitely not an option. WELDING REQUIRES A STEADY HAND. Same thing with becoming a neuro surgeon, sniper, or anything else where hand and eye coordination are key.
If you can weld, you are not guaranteed $100k a year jobs unless you master your trade and know metals inside and out. I'm hoping I can get to that kind of salary in a few short years.
But if you can weld and have decent fabrication skills, after getting a year of experience you should be able to make a minimum of $20/hour anywhere in the US.
There are over a million doctors in America but fewer than 500k welders. Our skills are needed for manufacturing buildings, water treatment, aviation, etc...
Without welders, machinists, and other tradespeople, an engineer's drawing is nothing more than a drawing until we make it a reality.
Doctors cannot work without the hospitals and instruments we help build/fabricate. Firefighters, police, military, anyone who works in a steel structure, rocket components that will take people to mars... all need welders in some way.
Thank you for this information. It's helpful.
Sean