When you are career ready, time matters. Well, how to become a welder in Texas? Texas is known for being one of the top states to hire welders. They also host several schools where you can find appropriate classes and training in less time. Show
How do you become a welder in Texas and how long does it take? The state of Texas requires welders to be certified by the American Welders Society. The best course of action is to find a good program at a local school and then test for certification. These courses can range anywhere from six month to two years. You do not need a degree to enter the welding industry. Texas requires welders to hold an American Welders Society certification. Gaining knowledge from an accredited institution helps you learn what is required to pass the certification test. We have put together an information guide, with links, of the top welding school programs in the state of Texas. Learn More About the Highest paying Welding Jobs: – Here, you can find an article from our website about: Do Welders Make Good Money? | Highest Paying Welding Jobs
Who is the American Welders Society (AWS)?The AWS is a nonprofit organization that helps create and maintain high standards for the welding industry. They help unite welders and industry in a common cause. The nonprofit has become a popular source for certification and testing in the welding community. Some AWS certification programs include:
The certification we discuss is the Certified Welder option. This certification is performance based. There is no prerequisite classes or courses you need in order to pass the certification. It is recommended to find some way to gain experience in the welding field. If you choose to become a welder in Texas, you need to become certified. A good way to make sure do well on the AWS test is to take specific courses or programs that familiarize you with known welding techniques and standards. Accredited Testing Facilities (ATF)To be certified by the American Welders Society you need to be tested at an Accredited Testing Facility. If your school is not an ATF, then you must go to a third-party resource or another school to get a certification test. According to the AWS website here are some Texas facilities that are accredited under the AWS that would work as a third party option:
It is a good idea to ask for recommendations from your current welding school. It’s likely they will know which location is best suited for what you need. Welding AbbreviationsWe are going to be using some welding terms throughout this guide. These abbreviations give a shortcut and help remembering them. This will help anyone doing their own research since this is the familiar way listed in educational resources. The following terms are welding techniques that most schools offer and should help you get certified. Oxy-Fuel- A welding process that uses fuel gases and oxygen to weld or cut metals. GTAW- Gas Tungsten Arc Welding FCAW- Flux-Cored Arc Welding GMAW- Gas Metal Arc Welding SMAW- Shielded Metal Arc Welding Related Article: Is Welding a Hard Job? | All Facts You Need To Know 9 of the Best Welding Schools in TexasSearching for the best welding school in Texas is not hard if you know what to look for. We have noticed the best programs tend to be the ones who offer the most. Check to see what comes with each degree or certificate course. If you are ready to join the workforce now, then check to see how long the program takes to complete. Check if the institution is an ATF, that way you can get everything you need in one location. This is how you become a welder in Texas. Before you continue reading, here is an article we wrote about Advantages of Being a Welder >>Salary, Working Hours | Worklife Balance 1. Alamo Colleges District St. Philip’s CollegeA benefit to Alamo is it is an accredited testing facility through the AWS. Along with offering the appropriate courses there is no need to seek out an alternative testing site. Programs offered here include:
Alamo is in San Antonio and is committed to helping community college students they consider underserved. They hope to transform into a premier college institution by focusing on:
Admission varies depending on your program. Alamo offers financial aid and a scholarship program. 2. Texas State Technical College (TSTC)Texas State Technical College is made up of several campus’s. The following programs are offered at several locations but may not be available everywhere.
Any of these programs can lead you towards becoming a certified welder. The school itself does not appear to be an ATF. A third-party location will be needed to complete certification. TSTC is known for their emphasis on job placement and helping match students with the potential employers across their state. They offer services:
The school offers financial aid to help cover tuition. Their website lists possible scholarships and a work study program for those who qualify. 3. San Jacinto CollegeSan Jacinto is a top Texas school that offers a variety of ways to obtain a welding education. You need to look through the classes to affirm you are taking the correct ones to pass certification. Programs offered at San Jacinto:
San Jacinto offers several career services options to give students a better chance at accomplishing career goals:
San Jacinto understands the financial needs of its students and offers financial aid assistance along with scholarship programs. This school is not on the ATF list with the American Welders Society, so a third-party tester will be needed. Related Article: How Much Do Welders Get Paid? >>The truth on welder pay 4. Arclabs Welding SchoolArclabs divides their programs by hour. This is a combination of classroom time and onsite welding hours that the school claims can be done in as little as six months depending on the student’s level. Arclabs offers these four flexible programs:
Arclabs says they provide education and training with career purpose. They do not guarantee job placement but attempt to give students what they need for entry level jobs in a variety of industries. They offer a financial aid program for those students who need it. This school opens itself to companies who hire welders but need some guidance on assessing and testing. They are not an ATF for the American Welders Society. 5. South Coast Welding AcademyThis facility breaks their courses down depending on the type of welding you learn and if you choose day classes verses evening courses. Their website offers descriptive breakdowns of each course offered in the following programs. The following courses can be completed in either three weeks of day sessions or six weeks of evening sessions:
The following courses can be completed in either four weeks of day sessions or eight weeks of evening sessions:
The following course can be completed in either eight weeks of day sessions or 16-week evening sessions:
This course can be completed in either 12-weeks of day sessions or 24-weeks of evening sessions:
This course takes either 24-weeks of day sessions or 48-weeks of evening sessions to complete.
Cost for courses varies depending on which one you choose. The school does offer financial aid for those who qualify. South Coast offers a program for a variety of fields that could help any welder. This school helps anyone who needs to study specific sections rather than combining them all at the same time. It’s not listed as an ATF. 6. Lonestar CollegeLonestar College offers 16 programs to those seeking a welding certificate or degree. Some of the programs can be stacked (used) towards an Associate in Applied Science degree. There are also courses aimed at fast track completion which should take one to two years to complete. Regular certificate programs can be completed in nine months:
These courses are part of the school’s fast track program and can be completed in a year:
Lone star offers Associate Degree courses for the welding industry. These programs take two years to complete:
If paying for college is a concern, Lone star offers a few options:
Lone star offers a variety of ways to gain certificates in different areas of the industry. This school is not listed with the AWS as an Accredited Testing Facility. Related Article: What does MIG Welding Stand For? >> Definition & Terminology 7. Mainliners Welding AcademyMainliners Welding Academy is not an accredited facility for AWS but offers a flexible course schedule for potential students. This school offers the following programs:
Mainliners offers courses aimed at pipeline welding. You do have to have one year of pipe combination experience and bring your own equipment to participate in the program. Pipeline courses include:
The school does offer financial aid to qualifying students. 8. Griffin’s Industrial Welding School LLCGriffin’s offers a program that can be completed in 12-weeks. The cost of their tuition is aimed at those who cannot afford larger universities or schools. Griffin’s is not an accredited testing facility to be properly certified in Texas; another site will be needed. Courses offered include:
This school hopes to help graduates find jobs once they have completed the program. Griffin does this by creating a relationship with the communities and bringing in industries. 9. Lincoln TechAccording to their site Lincoln Tech is one of the top five schools who provide welders to the state. They believe their curriculum provides everything a welder needs for work once they complete a program. Lincoln offers two-degree programs that can be completed in a year or less:
Here are a several skills Lincoln Tech hopes graduating welders leave with:
This school works with each student to help them create a plan that fits their needs. Lincoln strives to help students find the right jobs after graduation with guidance and counseling. Lincoln is not listed as an ATF with the American Welders Society. What Industries can Welders work in?There are a variety of industries and possible job paths for a certified welder. Welders can find valuable careers in places like:
Texas is known for hiring welders. They may not hold the highest yearly wage average, but they are consistently hiring welders. Gaining experience in the welding field can help someone gain more money in the future. According to Southern Careers Institute, welders in Texas make around $30,000 to $50,000 on average. Popular welding jobs in Texas:
We wrote an article about how to become a coded welder. Find the article here. Certification RenewalOnce you receive your certification it is important to keep it current. In order to stay certified with the American Welders Society the welder must send in a certification maintenance form every six months. It is imperative you remember to do this. You can request a 60-day administrative extension. If allowed you will have to pay a late fee. If the date is missed, then the welder must re-test in order to receive certification. Recommended ReadingDo Welders Get Drug Tested? | All Facts You Need To Know Can You MIG Weld in the Rain or when it’s wet? Does Welding Hurt Your Eyes? How Can You Protect Your Eyes Here are some of my favorite tools & equipment´s Thank you for reading this article. I hope it helps you find the most recent and accurate information for your welding project. Here are some tools that I use daily and hope you´ll also find helpful. There are affiliate links, so if you do decide to use any of them, I´ll earn a small commission. But in all honesty, these are the exact tools that I use and recommend to everyone, even my own family. (NO CRAP) To see all my of most up-to-date recommendations, check out this resource that I made for you! Best Overall Recommendations + Great Products & Services + Approved + Save Thousands of Dollars
Is becoming a certified welder worth it?It will teach you the necessary skills, and you can rely on your background to start a business and bring in customers. If you already know how to weld and are looking to expand your knowledge into new areas for a job or self-improvement, a certificate is the better choice.
Is getting a welding certificate hard?So is welding hard? For most people, welding is moderately to very difficult to learn how to do, as it's a hands-on skill that requires more than just reading. Furthermore, welding is very difficult to actually do for most people, because it takes years and years of practice, on top of learning how to do it.
How long does a welder qualification last?A WELDING CERTIFICATION IS EFFECTIVE INDEFINITELY
According to American Welding Society AWS D1. 1, Clause 4.2. 3.1, a welder's qualification is effective indefinitely, AS-LONG-AS, that welder does not go more than six months without using that process.
How long does it take to start a career in welding?It can take as little as six months to become a practicing welder in California. To become a certified welder in California, you need: 18 years old or older.
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