Do Welders Have to Go to School for Welding?

If it is made of metal, it has been welded. From buildings and bridges to cars and planes, welding is an integral part of our economy. While we don’t always notice every weld behind the walls or under the hood, welding helps keep us safe and improves our quality of life. Welding is integral in every industry.

If you like creating pieces with your hands and would like a career that allows you to work anywhere, then welding may be for you. From basic fabrications to advanced robotics, welders are required to have the skills and technological know-how to work smarter. And because many industries and art forms depend on welding, the demand for welders is high, which offers great potential for those with proper welding education.

How Formal Education is Important for a Welder

A formal welding school will equip you with technical skills and soft skills to help you succeed in a myriad of workplaces. Think of it as a good mix of technical expertise, theory, and lots of practice. Here’s why welding school is important for welders:

Students are trained to follow important safety precautions: Welding training is a critical step in the process of becoming a certified welder. Skipping this important step can expose all those involved in a welding project to danger because there are so many risks involved, including:

• Chemical hazards from vapors, fumes, and gas
• Radiation such as infrared rays, ultraviolet rays, and blue light
• Electrical danger like overload, shorted circuits, or shock
• Explosions and fires due to compressed gases and flammable substances in the work area
• Burning cause by hot pieces, flying sparks, and high temperatures.

Adequate welding training can help prevent these dangers.

Lessons in all of the major welding techniques and processes: There is a wide variety of welding techniques, ranging from simple ones such as oxy-flame welding to complex ones like laser beam welding. With formal education, you will not be bound to learning how to weld using one technique or for one type of job. A great welding school with teach you all the four major welding processes, including Tungsten Inert Gas, Gas Metal Arc Welding, Flux-Cored Arc Welding, and Shielded Metal Arc Welding. Different industries will use different techniques, and by learning all the techniques, you will be more knowledgeable and versatile once you enter the job market.

Acquire industry-related skills: Being successful in the workplace takes more than technical knowledge and manual dexterity. In most welding careers, you’re going to be working with colleagues and clients, but also be expected to work independently. In welding school, you will have lessons designed to help you develop communication skills, writing skills, and teamwork. You should also be ready to develop and advance your math skills and the use of different types of metals.

Quantifiable education: Formal education is measurable. Learning takes place in a classroom setup and is offered by qualified and experienced instructors. With on-the-job training, however, it can be difficult to quantify what has been learned since it is not designed to progressively achieve a specific set of skills. And with no exams, it can be difficult for potential employers to gauge your skills.

How Formal Welding Training Can Help You When Applying for a Welding Job

With a growing number of highly trained and skilled welders and an oversupply of entry-level welders, welding employers are paying more attention to welding qualification standards. This means that training beyond the fundamentals of welding will make you more attractive and employable in a competitive, high-demand industry.

If you’re a welder who is agile, adaptable, and highly trained, there are higher chances for you to be hired, since most companies are looking for individuals who have received formal training. The reason for this is that employers consider that formally trained welders are better prepared to take on their roles than others who have or are hoping to learn on the job. When it comes to trained and certified welders, there are fewer cases of accidents and injuries, compared to those who did not go to a welding school.

Welding is applied in a wide variety of industries, such as automotive, manufacturing, technology, construction, and many more. However, not all welders are able to secure employment in big companies because many employers are looking for professionals who can show that they have received proper education in an accredited welding school. Attending a training course exposes you to more career opportunities, including, becoming a welder inspector, underwater welder, or even a freelancer. This career allows you to work anywhere, provided you have the right qualifications.

In essence, formal education opens doors to more opportunities, higher pay, more benefits, and a more successful career.

Are You Ready to Start a New Career in Welding?

If you love working with your hands and want a lucrative, long-term career, consider pursuing a welding degree. The Associate in Occupational Science Degree in Maritime Welding with Service Management at Advanced Technology Institute (ATI) is designed to provide you with everything you need to build your dream career. Learn more about the program by contacting a helpful admissions advisor today.