Best Welding Schools in the USA
Welding is a highly specialized and valuable skill that is in demand around the world. If you’re interested in becoming a welder, you’ll need to find the best welding schools to get your career start.
From welder’s career options to future job prospects, there are many things to consider when selecting the right school for you.
Knowing what to look for can help make your decision easier and ultimately provide you with the best education possible.
For aspiring welders, attending a welding school is an excellent way to get the proper training and certification required for the job.
This article will provide an overview of the best welding schools in the USA, discuss the various career opportunities available to welders, and explore potential job prospects for the future.
1. Hobart Institute of Welding Technology
The Hobart Institute of Welding Technology (HIWT) is a welding education and training facility located in Troy, Ohio. It was established in 1930 and is considered one of the most reputable welding schools in the United States.
The school offers a variety of welding programs, including certificate and diploma programs, as well as customized training for individuals and companies.
The school’s curriculum covers a wide range of welding processes, including Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (GTAW), Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW), Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW), Flux Cored Arc Welding (FCAW), and more.
Hobart Institute offers Individual training for welders, pipefitters, welder-fabricators, as well as structural welders.
They also offers specialized training for CWI inspectors, NDT inspectors, welding supervisors and engineers.
The school’s programs are designed to provide students with hands-on experience and the skills they need to succeed in the welding industry. The school also provides welding certification testing through the American Welding Society (AWS) and the National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER).
The school facility has a range of welding equipment and machinery to provide students with practical experience and the opportunity to work with different welding techniques and materials.
In addition to its welding programs, HIWT also offers a variety of other training and education programs, including welding inspection, welding engineering, and welding management.
The school is accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC) and has a good reputation in the industry.
Course offered
- Pathways Welding Program (40 weeks duration, Fees $22.600)
- Pipe Welder
- Pipefitter
- Welder Fabricator
- Gas Tungsten arc welder
- Downhill Pipe welder
- Structural Welding Program (24 weeks, Fees $13,800)
- Individual Courses
- Specialization Training for CWI, NDT and Welding Technology.
Website: Hobart Institute of Welding Technology
Contact Number: 1-800-332-9448
Opening Hours: 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM ( Saturday-Sunday Closed)
Locations: OH 45373 (Click here for Google Map Location).
2. Lincoln Electric Welding School
The Lincoln Electric Welding School is a welding training program offered by Lincoln Electric, a manufacturer of welding equipment and consumables.
Lincoln Welding schools provides both beginner and advanced welding training courses, as well as customized training programs for specific industries or applications.
Click here for Course catalogue Link.
The training is provided in a variety of formats, including in-person classes at Lincoln Electric’s facility in Cleveland, Ohio, as well as online and on-site training.
The school’s curriculum covers a wide range of welding techniques and technologies, including MIG, TIG, and stick welding, as well as welding safety and quality control.
Website: Lincoln Electric Welding School
Contact Number: +12164818100
Opening Hours: 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM ( Saturday-Sunday Closed)
Locations: OH 45373 (Click here for Google Map Location).
The Lincoln Electric Welding School offers a variety of welding courses, including both beginner and advanced level classes. Some of the courses offered include:
- Welding Fundamentals: This course is designed for those who are new to welding and covers the basics of welding safety, equipment setup and operation, and welding techniques.
- Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (GTAW or TIG Welding): This course covers the principles and techniques of TIG welding, including welding of aluminum, stainless steel, and other materials.
- Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW or MIG Welding): This course covers the principles and techniques of MIG welding, including welding of mild steel, aluminum, and stainless steel.
- Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW or Stick Welding): This course covers the principles and techniques of stick welding, including welding of mild steel, stainless steel, and other materials.
- Advanced Welding Techniques: This course covers advanced welding techniques such as welding of thick materials, welding with multiple pass, welding of dissimilar materials and welding with advanced welding machines.
- Welding Inspection: This course covers the principles of welding inspection and quality control, including visual inspection, non-destructive testing, and other inspection methods.
- Customized Industry Training: Lincoln Electric also provides customized training programs for specific industries, such as aerospace, manufacturing, and construction.
3. Tulsa Welding School
Tulsa Welding School (TWS) is a welding training institution based in Tulsa, Oklahoma, USA.
TWS offers welding certification programs, which are designed to prepare students for a career in welding. The school offers several welding programs, including:
- Welding Technology: This program is designed to provide students with the skills and knowledge needed to become professional welders. It covers welding techniques, safety procedures, and welding theory.
- Welding Technology and Inspection: This program combines welding technology with welding inspection and quality control. It covers welding techniques, welding inspection, and non-destructive testing.
- Pipefitting and Welding: This program combines pipefitting and welding, providing students with the skills needed to work in the pipefitting and welding industry.
- Advanced Welding: This program is designed for students who have already completed a welding program and want to continue their education in welding, it covers advanced welding techniques, welding with advanced welding machines, welding of dissimilar materials, welding of thick materials and welding with multiple pass.
- Customized Industry Training: TWS also provides customized training programs for specific industries, such as oil and gas, manufacturing, and construction.
All TWS programs are designed to provide hands-on training and real-world experience, with classes taught by experienced industry professionals.
TWS is accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC), which is a recognition of the quality of their programs.
Contact Number: +19182160723
Opening Hours: 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM (Saturday 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM, Sunday Closed)
Locations: Tulsa, Oklahoma (Click here for Google Map Location).
4. Universal Technical Institute
Universal Technical Institute (UTI) is a vocational school in the United States that offers training programs in various trades, including welding.
They offer a Welding Technology program that provides students with hands-on training in welding techniques, including MIG, TIG, and stick welding, Pipe welding as well as blueprint reading, fabrication, and welding inspection.
UTI offers Combination welder program for Stick, TIG, MIG and FCAW Welding. Their programs are developed with the help of Lincoln Electric.
UTI Welding schools have several locations across the United States (total 12 campuses for welding training), including:
- Avondale, Arizona
- Long Beach, California
- Sacramento, California
- Rancho Cucamonga, California
- Houston, Texas
- Dallas, Texas
- Orlando, Florida
- Exton, Pennsylvania
- Norwood, Massachusetts
- Contact Number: 800-834-7308
- Opening Hours: Varies. Check with the campus location.
- Locations: Various, total 12 nos.
5. Advanced Welding Institute
The Advanced Welding Institute (AWI) Welding schools are located in Vermont Campus and Wisconsin Campus and offers a variety of welding courses. These courses may include but not limited to:
- Structural Welding
- Structural & Pipe Welding
- TIG Welding
- MIG & FCAW Welding
- Stick Welding
- Oxy-Acetylene Welding
- Pipe Welding
- Welding Certification Prep
- Welding Inspection
The exact courses offered and their schedules may vary, and I suggest checking the AWI website or contacting them directly for the most up-to-date information.
Contact Number: +18026600600
Opening Hours: 7:00 AM to 4:00 PM (Saturday & Sunday Closed)
Locations: Vermont (Click here for Google Map Location).
6. Pennsylvania College Of Technology
The Pennsylvania College of Technology (PCT) is a public polytechnic university located in Williamsport, Pennsylvania. They offer a nos. of welding courses as part of their Manufacturing and Construction program.
PCT offers:
- Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) in Metal Fabrication Technology: Suitable for metal fabricators, assemblers and boilermakers.
- Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Welding Fabrication Engineering Technology.: Suitable for welding engineers, designers and quality engineers.
- Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) in Welding Technology: Suitable for welding inspectors, supervisors and technicians.
- Certificate in welding: best for welders, boilermakers and fabricators.
Website: www.pct.edu
Contact Number: +1.570.320.2400
Opening Hours: 7:00 AM to 4:00 PM (Saturday & Sunday Closed)
Locations: Vermont (Click here for Google Map Location).
