Welding is an important and valuable career that offers great stability and income potential. It is a specialized form of metal fabrication and is used in industries like automotive and construction.
But do you know what educational requirements must be met to pursue a career in welding? According DidYouKnow. org, approximately 420,000 people are employed as welders in the U.
S. and the field is expected to grow by 6 percent between 2018 and 202 While you don’t need a college degree to enter the welding workforce, employers will be looking for some level of certification or training.
Read on to find out what type of education you need to become a welder and how you can get it.
What Education Is Required For Welding?
Welding is a skill that requires a combination of knowledge, practice, and experience to master.It is also essential to have a certain degree of education and training before you can be able to practice welding. In this article, we will cover all the educational requirements for welding and discuss the types of welding and their related education requirements.
High School Diploma
Most welding jobs require employees to have a high school diploma or equivalent.The high school diploma serves as the basic educational requirement that must be met before any other qualifications can be taken into consideration. Employers with welding jobs may require applicants to submit a copy of their high school diploma as proof of their educational qualifications.
Certificate in Welding
To become fully qualified as a welder, you must have a Certificate in Welding.This certificate is awarded by either a community college or vocational institution. The certificate program generally consists of a combination of lectures, hands-on training, and practical experience.
By completing the certificate program, you will gain the skills and knowledge necessary to work as a welder.
Associate’s Degree in Welding Technology
If you wish to pursue a more advanced level of education in welding, you can opt for an Associate’s Degree in Welding Technology.This degree program typically takes two years to complete and covers a wide variety of subjects related to welding, such as metallurgy, weld joints, welding machines, mathematics, metallurgical principles, and electrical circuits. Upon successful completion of the degree program, you can be confident that you have the necessary skills to pursue a career as a welder.
Types of Welding
There are several different types of welding, and each type requires its own unique educational requirements.Below are some of the common types of welding and their related educational requirements:
- MIG (Metal Inert Gas) Welding – A MIG welder must possess an understanding of technical drawings, basic mechanical skills, and a working knowledge of electrical circuits and welding machines.
- TIG (Tungsten Inert Gas) Welding – A TIG welder must have a high level of technical understanding, as well as knowledge of welding techniques, metallurgy, heat control, and mechanical aptitude.
- Arc Welding – Arc welding requires a working knowledge of electricity, welding joints, metallurgy, and welding rods.
- Plasma Welding – Plasma welding requires an understanding of electricity, welding principles, and safety protocols.