3 answers
Elijah
Student
Yuma, Arizona
1
Question
Updated
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I’m Elijah and I’m interested in welding, or engineering ?
I’m Elijah and I’m interested in welding, or engineering but is the experience worth it ? And is the benefits worth it ?
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3 answers
Debbie Morton
Business Consulting
68
Answers
Phoenix, Arizona
Updated
Debbie’s Answer
Hello Elijah!
Stepping into the world of welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers typically calls for a high school diploma or its equivalent, coupled with technical knowledge and hands-on experience.
Education & Training
Most employers lean towards candidates who have a high school diploma or equivalent and technical training under their belt. This specialized training can be accessed through high school technical education classes, vocational-technical institutes, community colleges, or private schools specializing in welding, soldering, and brazing. Moreover, the U.S. Armed Forces also provide training related to welding.
Courses that can give you an edge include blueprint reading, shop mathematics, and mechanical drawing. A grasp of electricity can also be a useful asset.
You can also step into this field through an employer-based apprenticeship program. Some apprenticeships welcome entry-level workers with no prior experience or training, while others are designed for those who have completed a vocational-technical school welding program.
While some employers are open to hiring inexperienced entry-level workers and training them on the job, many prefer to hire workers who have already completed training or credentialing programs. Even so, entry-level workers with formal technical training will still receive several months of on-the-job training.
Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations
In some states and localities, welders must be licensed; the requirements vary. You can contact individual state or local government licensing agencies for more information.
Several professional organizations offer courses that lead to general certification. For instance, the American Welding Society provides the Certified Welder designation.
The American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) offers certification in practical welding technology for workers looking to boost their core competencies, while the Institute for Printed Circuits provides certification and training in soldering.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) mandates that welders complete training on electrical safety. Other types of OSHA training are available, although they are usually not required.
Some employers may require general or specific certification for certain jobs. They may even cover the cost of training and testing for their employees.
Stepping into the world of welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers typically calls for a high school diploma or its equivalent, coupled with technical knowledge and hands-on experience.
Education & Training
Most employers lean towards candidates who have a high school diploma or equivalent and technical training under their belt. This specialized training can be accessed through high school technical education classes, vocational-technical institutes, community colleges, or private schools specializing in welding, soldering, and brazing. Moreover, the U.S. Armed Forces also provide training related to welding.
Courses that can give you an edge include blueprint reading, shop mathematics, and mechanical drawing. A grasp of electricity can also be a useful asset.
You can also step into this field through an employer-based apprenticeship program. Some apprenticeships welcome entry-level workers with no prior experience or training, while others are designed for those who have completed a vocational-technical school welding program.
While some employers are open to hiring inexperienced entry-level workers and training them on the job, many prefer to hire workers who have already completed training or credentialing programs. Even so, entry-level workers with formal technical training will still receive several months of on-the-job training.
Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations
In some states and localities, welders must be licensed; the requirements vary. You can contact individual state or local government licensing agencies for more information.
Several professional organizations offer courses that lead to general certification. For instance, the American Welding Society provides the Certified Welder designation.
The American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) offers certification in practical welding technology for workers looking to boost their core competencies, while the Institute for Printed Circuits provides certification and training in soldering.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) mandates that welders complete training on electrical safety. Other types of OSHA training are available, although they are usually not required.
Some employers may require general or specific certification for certain jobs. They may even cover the cost of training and testing for their employees.
Brook Rasmussen
CWI
9
Answers
Sacramento, California
Updated
Brook’s Answer
Start welding and save money for school. Weld engineering is highly lucrative degree and a booming field. It’s going to grow and any steel product being welded to code needs a weld engineer.
Start at a community college and take your science classes. I highly encourage you to take welding courses at a college, it’ll give you a physical understanding how metal bends and warps when exposed to heat and stress.
Talk to a counselor at your high school or local community college and they will get you well on your way. Always look for scholarships and grants. They are easy to get and don’t have to be super smart to qualify.
And yes, absolutely worth getting into, working with metal and design is an experience in itself.
Start at a community college and take your science classes. I highly encourage you to take welding courses at a college, it’ll give you a physical understanding how metal bends and warps when exposed to heat and stress.
Talk to a counselor at your high school or local community college and they will get you well on your way. Always look for scholarships and grants. They are easy to get and don’t have to be super smart to qualify.
And yes, absolutely worth getting into, working with metal and design is an experience in itself.
Joe Reiter
1
Answer
Updated
Joe’s Answer
A portion of the welding engineer world that is often overlooked: Automotive Manufacturing welding.
In this role you get to work with RSW, GMAW, laser welding, laser brazing and many mechanical fastening applications.
No matter how we power our cars the next hundred years we will always need people to help join the bodies together. Being in Arizona you could get with Lucid to see if they have any internships available for the plant joining team to get your first exposure.
In this role you get to work with RSW, GMAW, laser welding, laser brazing and many mechanical fastening applications.
No matter how we power our cars the next hundred years we will always need people to help join the bodies together. Being in Arizona you could get with Lucid to see if they have any internships available for the plant joining team to get your first exposure.