Welding program help!

Tue, 31 Aug 2021 09:01:39 GMT

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So I have become quite interested in welding and want to enter the industry in hopes of getting my foot in the door with an engineering discipline (mechanical,or chemical) I am trying to learn how to weld pipes and fabrication aswell. I just turned 19 and don't have much of a direction right now I live alone and i dropped out when I was 17, got my ged last year, I reside in NY state.I've been looking at an aws accredited program it runs 450 hours and they teach all processes and teach blueprints etc I'm not sure if they certify on pipe though the program is really new around the area but it costs 7400$ and I have been wondering if it's worth the effort in paying out of pocket since I'm young and don't qualify for a loan, this program offers no financial aid and the ones that do are far and a bit of a drive, should I bust my butt and save up for it? I have half the money and I'm in need of a skilled job with opportunities to advance as a professional in a field. For anyone wondering the program it's in corning community college, there are boces around my area but they don't give aws certs. I've been trying to learn how to weld and have been looking for good schools around upstate, if anyone can chime in, that would be extremely appreciated as I'm stuck in the middle of the crossroads at the moment and don't know if it's a good investment.Thanks!
Reply:I teach at the High School level, as well as, Post secondary. To learn all the processes and pipe in that short of time frame is going to be a challenge. I'm not saying it can't be done, but very unlikely. At the college I teach at, we run a 375 hour course and a 750 hour course, and in the shorter course we don't get to pipe. We learn all the process in all the positions and that's a chore at times in that time frame. Some of the students don't get to all the positions with all the processes. I would ask what processes and positions you can expect to do, as well as, how long is your theory classes, and what do they cover?  Those 450 hours will go by quick, trust me.  What are the instructors credentials, are they CWI/CWE's, how much does the test cost, what metals will you be welding on?  You getting Certified or Qualified?
Reply:I will be getting aws entry level certified as well as getting a nys welding license, I know they cover steel, and aluminum, I don't know about titanium, or exotic metals, they say the whole class is 80% hands on and 20% class work/theory, they cover all positions and mig, stick and tig, and oxyacetylene I think. The instructor I believe is a CWI and worked in Cameron manufacturing company, they fabricate pressure vessels, food and chemical industry type stuff I think.Now I just want to know if I should save my money and time and look elsewhere or start community college, again I live in upstate ny and I'm looking for the best bang for my buck here, preferably something with a form of financial Aid and good reputation for professional training, my only worry is getting screwed into a bad job or something cause of all the hype with the welding industry shortage and new programs popping up everywhere trying to entice people like myself to get into the field. Any feedback would be appreciated thanks!
Reply:Just a couple of thoughts. Have you contacted the director and asked for a scholarship? Are they guaranteeing a welding licenses after 450 hours? It all sounds too good for $7400. The route I did was community college while working part time and living at home. You did not graduate unless you pulled an L.A. City certification. But I had to take many peripheral classes including general ed. I took technical math, metallurgy, basic NDT, woodworking(not welding, but solid fabrication basics), blueprint reading, machining, and metalworking(casting and blacksmithing). But then back in the 1970s tuition was more a nuisance fee, and was insignificant. I would try CC first, and if you like it and graduate, perhaps take the welding program course for $450. Either way, good luck.Weld like a "WELDOR", not a wel-"DERR" MillerDynasty700DX,Dynasty350DX4ea,Dynasty200DX,Li  ncolnSW200-2ea.,MillerMatic350P,MillerMatic200w/spoolgun,MKCobraMig260,Lincoln SP-170T,PlasmaCam/Hypertherm1250,HFProTig2ea,MigMax1ea.