Top 5 Welding Schools in the U.S
If you are coming out form High School and thinking of becoming a welder but no are not sure and you might be asking yourself:
So what will I learn in a welding school?
In a welding school you will learn theory but also practice. If you don’t know it, welding is part science and part art. In the theoretical are you will learn about the different types of arc welding, like Gas Tungsten Arc Welding , also known as TIG (Tungsten Inert Gas) and Gas Metal Arc Welding , also known as MIG (Metal Inert Gas).
Due to the technical aspect of welding you will need good math skills, understand basic geometry and a basic understanding of how and why two metals can be joined together and a general understanding of what happens in the molecules and metal structure.
While on welding school and then at your job, you will need to be a “team player” and be able to work with different people on projects. Remember that many big constructions or projects are made up by smaller parts.
- Welding Schools:
There a many welding schools in the U.S.
Many have degrees at a university level while others offer similar courses and degrees at a technology level. Universities give a bachelor’s degree while technology colleges give an associate’s degree, both meet the certification requirements of welders training. No matter which part of the country you live, here are some of the best schools you might consider joining.
The American Welding Society has an excellent welding school locator.
Here are some of the best Welding Schools in the country:
Illinois Welding School
http://www.illinoisweldingschool.com/
The school has two locations one in Chicago and other in Peoria. If you live in the Midwest, you might consider training in production welding, structural welding, basic welding and pipe welding at Illinois welding school. Just like in most school, there are conditions that must be meet by all applicants. The applicant must be or over 18 years of age, be able to write, speak and read English besides being in a good physical condition.
Modern Welding School
http://modernwelding.com/home.htm
It is located in Schenectady, New York and offers good training in welding that enables students graduating from the school to highly excel in the industry. If you live in the East Coast Modern Welding School may be convenient, it offers courses such as pipe welding, sheet metal welding, oxy-acetylene welding of cast iron and safety in welding. There are different ways in which the school fees can be paid, it also assists students in searching for employment upon completion.
Butte College
http://www.butte.edu/
It offers students a welding technology program and provides a certification in welding and an associate’s degree in welding engineering. At Butte College, the student is allowed to advance for the four year school without the prerequisite that are commonly needed in other similar colleges. It offers courses such as welding inspection, design, welding computations, blueprint reading and symbol reading. Equipment maintenance, stick welding and pipe welding are also taught in the program.
Ohio State University
http://www.osu.edu/
Considered one of the best welding school in US, it offers student a four-year degree program. Students at Ohio State University are taught different welding methods, welding technology and basics of welding. There are certain prerequisite that are required before being admitted into the Department of Material Sciences and Engineering.
Lincoln Technical Institute
http://www.lincolnedu.com/schools/lincoln-technical-institute
It has several branches across the country and offers one of the oldest training program. It teaches students basics in welding and gradually moves to more complicated courses. Some of the courses that are available are pipe welding, shielded metal arc welding, stick welding and flux core arc welding. Lincoln Technical Institute also offers training in motor sports welding which very unique. If you are interested in motor sports welding then you might consider joining the school.
Most schools that offer welding course provide their students with the America Welding Society certification classes, some employers also provide their own internal certifications.
Photo in this post byUniversity of the Fraser Valley
