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How long did it take to get your certificate in welding?

wondering if i should try learning welding as my trade

career construction welding welder
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Don’s Answer

It's an intriguing question, and while my response might not align precisely with your expectations, I believe it could offer valuable insight. Obtaining a welding certification is an excellent starting point, with completion times varying from a few months to several years depending on the program. I would suggest exploring options at your local college or through the United Association of Plumbers, Pipefitters, Welders, and Service Technicians. However, from my own experience, the real learning journey kicks off afterward. Welding in a controlled environment like a shop is vastly different from the challenging conditions you might encounter, such as working in the Arctic, inside a rain-soaked crude oil tank, inside underground ballast water lines, or suspended from a scaffold in windy conditions or atop a boom lift. It's in these situations that individuals truly discover their capabilities and understand what they can offer, not just to themselves but also to inspectors and the customer.
Thank you comment icon Thank you for the advice, Don. Ajae
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Daniel’s Answer

The duration it takes really hinges on your pace of learning. I completed a nine-month welding course in just three months, while others took the full duration. But remember, it's not about speed, it's about mastering a new skill. Take all the time you need. Opportunities in welding will still be there once you've honed your abilities. The best things in life require time and dedication. If this is the path you want to tread, then proceed at a pace that suits you. Rushing might lead to mistakes that your first employer will notice. I've recently chosen to return to school to advance my career. I can only manage about two classes per semester. It's a slow process, but I'm confident I'll excel in those two classes each term. In the long run, it will be worth it. Invest your time and effort now for a brighter future.
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Brook’s Answer

It depends strictly on how many hours you are willing to practice in a day for however long it takes to pass. I taught my friend how to weld in 20 hours, about 4 hours a day and he was able to learn enough to pass an interview building trains. He didn't need certifications for the interview.
To earn an AWS welding certification for a given process depends on the instructors course time line, or a persons ability to produce a sound weld that can pass a bend test first time. Certified Welding Inspectors (CWI) will test a person for a fee ($100-$300 per test), the canidate will weld a sample, the inspector does a bend test. If it passes, canidate gets a certification for that process. If it doesn't pass, they pay the inspector another exam fee and weld another sample until a weld is produced that passes the destructive testing. This can get expensive.
This is why it is helpful to enroll into a trade school or see if your local college offers welding classes, college courses are usually cheaper than trade school tuition. Either is an easy way to gain access to practice hours during the week and supplies without having to make large investments by yourself.
Its really about how many hours you can get your self under the helmet, and the skill requirements of the job in mind (welding fences vs ships). The best way to learn how to weld is to find a welder buddy and asking them if they can show you the way.
Thank you comment icon Thank you, this is really helpful. Ajae
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Mack’s Answer

First I would like to start out saying that both of the previous answers contain great information. But in regards to your exact question., Certificate can mean so many different things when pertaining to the welding field. Something that isn’t really known is almost all welding jobs require a per job welding test. These tests are based on the jobs requirements. These requirements vary greatly from job to job. School as stated previously is a great starting place. Mostly I personally would say to try and obtain a welding machine and just start welding. There is so much great free information available today. I learn every day still and continue to challenge myself and abilities as much as possible. The foundation of welding hasn’t greatly changed in a long time. However the equipment has. Knowledge of metallurgy is also a plus in my opinion. I try to remember always that there are lots of people competing for the best jobs and company’s. What makes you the better candidate as opposed to anyone else. Put yourself in the shoes of the person that is hiring for those positions. My best résumé’ has always been my performance at my last job.
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