Many people make the mistake of believing that they can simply pick up the torch and become a welder, and there are a few things wrong with this thinking. First of all, your welding will suffer as you will not know precisely how to operate the machine, and secondly you could injure yourself, others, or both. That being the case, you’re going to need a bit of welding education before you actually get started.
The process of getting that welding education changes between generations of course, and in the old days new welders were simply mentored by older welders. These days however, it is almost universally required that a welder have some type of degree, and in order to obtain that degree a multitude of courses need to be taken. These courses will not only ensure welder competence, but also safety in a hazardous working environment.
Welder Fitting
This is a relatively common program, and it is designed for those with an extreme lack of welding experience. First of all it will consist of cutting metal with an oxyacetylene torch. The entire course is designed to teach students to create welds on carbon steel plate as well as pipe which is very basic. The course will naturally move on to Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW), and students will learn about the seven electrode types used in ARC welding. It should be noted that courses like these are designed for beginning welders, and professional welders might want to look into something a bit more advanced.
Advanced Welding Classes
There are of course advanced welding classes out there, and they are typically designed for professionals that are seeking the following:
- New career opportunities provided only by up to date experience.
- Information on new welding techniques.
- Refreshers for qualification tests.
These classes will help welders to understand the fundamentals of vehicle welding as well as pipe welding, which is very helpful in virtually any industry. As you probably know at this point, almost every industry from paper to automotive requires welders, and with that being the case individuals from all walks of life will find themselves taking part in welding education courses.
Specifics
Naturally there are more specific courses such as MIG welding and TIG welding courses, and these are typically designed for those who find themselves needing to train a specific skill for a specific job. Typically you will find that such courses are designed to instruct welders on working with various metal thicknesses, as well as welding in different positions.
Finding a School
Locating a welding school will be quite simple, especially considering that you have the advent of the internet. All you will need to do is fire up your favorite search engine and look for welding schools. There are two distinct possibilities, one of which is the advent of a dedicated welding site. These sites are typically tied to their schools, and you will be able to view the various opportunities as well as your financial aid options. Financial aid can easily come in the form of FASFA, or it could be a financial institute of your choice. Check with each school to see what is available and how soon you will be able to start.
There are also a number of welding school directories available and you should be given the option to search by state or even category. In the end you will undoubtedly find exactly what you need, and you will be able to move into the future of your welding career. Are you prepared to weld?