Level Corner PA Welding School

There are several excellent schools in the Level Corner PA area where you can learn to be a welder. Welding is a popular work choice because you can complete your basic certification in only a few months and be ready to earn a good living. If you enjoy building things and working with your hands and are a very detail-oriented person, then a future in welding may be for you! Welding is one of the few skilled trades where workers can earn a lucrative income with only a high school diploma and technical schooling. Your welding skills and willingness to travel and work in isolated locations are the main factors that determine how much you can earn. Many welders enter the field to take advantage of the opportunities to travel. A wide variety of industries from farming to ship building, and real estate development to pipeline construction, employ a large number of welders. The physical demands of the job include carrying heavy tools, working in confined spaces, and working outdoors in extreme heat or cold. In order to minimize injuries, it is very important for welders to emphasize safety while on the job. Most welder training programs require you to have your high school diploma or equivalent to enroll. High school or evening adult classes in welding and metalwork are a good foundation if they are available.

Industrial Welding: Types of Training Programs

For those looking for a welder training program near Level Corner PA there are several options. Introductory programs that cover basic techniques can be completed in only a few weeks while comprehensive programs take from 4-9 months. Two-year associate degree programs include additional general education classes, as well as extensive theory practical training in welding. Classes in writing, English, sociology, and applied math are included in the program. Associate degrees prepare students for all types of industrial welding, plus possible careers in management, sales, and vocational training. Apprentice welders can also work while they learn the skills to become certified. Apprentices are paid less than certified journeyman welders and must spend more years on the job than those with diplomas or degrees before becoming certified. Many welders that begin working after completing their basic training return to school to earn additional certifications and qualify for higher-paying jobs. Becoming a certified journeyman welder can take from 4 to 15 years.

Welding School

 

Higher Paying Welding Jobs: Special Certifications & Qualifications

When applying for a job a welder will normally be required to pass a certification test specific to the work to be done before being hired. There are four major welding processes, including shielded metal arc welding (SMAW), also commonly known as stick welding. For each process there are certifications based on the shape and type of metal, weld type, and the position the welder is in while completing the weld.

Welding School - Level Corner, PA

Some Examples of Specialized Welding Careers

Within the welding industry there are also many specialized jobs. Robotic welding machine operators are becoming increasingly common in pipeline and building construction. Non-destructive welding inspectors use x-rays, ultrasound, and magnetic sensors to inspect welds.

Future Job Prospects for Welders

Welders are needed in virtually every industry from automobile repair to shipbuilding and pipeline construction to aerospace. It is one of the few jobs where a skilled tradesman can earn on par with highly respected professions. Not many careers are as fulfilling and rewarding as professional welding, it may just be the job for you!