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Welding school offers students an opportunity to become a certified
welder or welding engineer. Welding training gives students a chance
to pursue a career as a welder where they are responsible for
working with joining metals, soldering, and brazing. Welders can
work in a variety of industrial and automotive industries, and often
gain experience in the field.
Job Description
and Responsibilities of Welding School Graduates
Graduates of
welding schools are often involved hands-on projects that require
skill, manual dexterity, and key problem-solving techniques. A
welding engineer is often involved with a variety of tasks
including:
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Working with a
team of certified welders or a supervising welding engineer
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Using welding
machines to join pieces of metal
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Completing
welded products such as pressure vessels and heat exchangers
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Working with
nuclear systems, boilers, and storage vessels
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Using
fundamental principles of engineering science and mathematics
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Coordinating
and applying various design materials
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Communicating
effectively with customers and supervisors
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Working
independently
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Solving
practical problems associated with production and mechanics of
design
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Learning about
arc, gas, and resistance welding theory
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Interpreting
blueprints
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Carrying out
welding studs and brazing processes
A welding
engineer is primarily focused on the manufactured product where they
are responsible for joining metals and ensuring that all safety
standards are followed. Due to the nature of the industry that the
certified welder is required to perform in, safety and health
concerns are of high importance. Welding schools provide
comprehensive training in all of these areas.
Career Options
After Welding Training
Welding schools
can provide both hands-on and classroom learning for the prospective
welding engineer. However, welding certification can also offer
additional career choices and opportunities. Students of welding
training schools can explore careers as a:
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Machinist
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Sheetmetal
Worker
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Pipefitter
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Silversmith
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Tool Grinder
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Ironworker
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Boilermaker
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Metal Trades
Assistant
Employment as a
Welding Engineer or Certified Welder
A welding engineer or certified welder may choose to work in the
construction, automotive, or other industrial fields. Shift work is
the most common work structure for a certified welder, and some
workers choose to become self-employed. Companies that hire welders
include:
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Manufacturers of platework and structural steel
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Boilers
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Heavy machinery contractors
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Ship building contractors
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Specialized welding shops
Welding
School Courses, Training Programs, and Welding Certification
Welding schools
offer a range of programs for the prospective welding engineer or
certified welder. Welding engineer course programs cover a broad
range of areas with courses including:
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Engineering
Mechanics
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Structural
Analysis
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Stress
Analysis
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Production
Design
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Physical
Metallurgy
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Manufacturing
Processes
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Nondestructive
Testing Technique
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Arc Welding
Basics
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Stick Welding
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MIG Welding
After completing
pre-major courses from the welding school program, students must
apply for the Welding Engineer degree program, and can then pursue
welding certification.
Welding
certification is designed to test the welder's skills and
understanding of key welding processes. Welders are responsible for
learning metal types, joint design, and positioning techniques. In
order to receive welder certification, the welder must pass a series
of tests administered by the American Welding Society (AWS) or
American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME). Certification does
expire after a period of time so the welding engineer or certified
welder must continue their education and testing to maintain their
certified status.
Students of
welding school learn the key principles of welding step-by-step.
They are commonly taught by welding instructors that have extensive
knowledge in the field.
Welding School
Accreditation
Welding schools
around the country are accredited by the Accrediting Commission of
Career Schools and College of Technology (ACCSCT). Private schools
may also be licensed by each state's department of education.
Welding School
Graduates Earning Potential and
Employment Prospects
The manufacturing and industrial sectors are expected to increase
and grow, but the need for skilled and trained welders is expected
to grow slower than average than other occupations. This is largely
due to the advances in technology and machinery where the processes
are becoming more automated. However, the need for experienced
machine operators within the industry will continue to rise, and
these can also help increase welding productivity.
Median hourly earnings for a certified welder or welding engineer
were $14.72 in 2004. This varies depending on the industry, skill
level, and experience. Related occupations include:
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