School Options?

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I am new to welding. Have a small amount of experience in blacksmithing/metalworking. I recently looked into welding as a career option. Hobart and Lincoln seem to be two of the larger certification schools. I am more interested in a program that covers a lot of ground. Taking a 4 or 6 week course to train in more specific areas would be nice, but I want to find a 36 week or so program that covers blueprints/stick/mig/tig/cutting/pipe etc. The more I can learn the better. Does anyone have any personal experience at Hobart, Lincoln or any other schools that have more comprehensive/fast paced certification programs? thanks a ton.
Reply:I attended the pipe welding program at Hobart - plus an extra class.  Hobart is a fantastic school that I would highly recommend.
Reply:They seem pretty legit. Expensive, but their programs seem to cover a lot of ground. Thanks man.
Reply:Originally Posted by v4lalThey seem pretty legit. Expensive, but their programs seem to cover a lot of ground. Thanks man.
Reply:are you willing to travel to go to school?
Reply:Originally Posted by weldrwomnI am not a man.   Hobart's programs cover enough of each process to get you comfortable with the basics. By the end of the program, you really are pretty decent at manipulating the weld puddle no matter the process or position.
Reply:The community college by me offers some really good programs. It's the most southern part of california minutes from mexico. It's cheap and you learn a ton.
Reply:If money is tight consider the community college especially if they have an apprentice program with the local shops. That apprentice program will get you the actual shop time you will need as resume filler for a shop looking for folks with experience versus someone just out of a school with no shop experience.Co-Own CNC shop:Miller :1251 plasma cutter, MaxStar 700 TIG/Stick, & XMT 456 Multiprocess Welder.&  2 Hypertherm HPR260's Plasma CutterSorry I had a bad stroke but now I am back.
Reply:In addition if the school doesn't have an apprentice program talk to the instructor. Most instructors are also shop owners and the instructor may be will to take you on as an apprentice.Co-Own CNC shop:Miller :1251 plasma cutter, MaxStar 700 TIG/Stick, & XMT 456 Multiprocess Welder.&  2 Hypertherm HPR260's Plasma CutterSorry I had a bad stroke but now I am back.
Reply:That might be a good idea, if i can find the right school. I don't know a whole lot about options as far as careers go, but I had two ideas in mind. One would be working in a ship yard or something, just to have access to a good job on the coast. The other, which i hear takes a lot of skill, is working in a power plant or something like that. Where they take x-rays on pipe welds for high pressure whatever. Really looking for a program where i get a lot of lab time, learn a lot of different processes and get certified at the end. The community colleges around here have things like beginner welding, 1 class, 3 times a week, no certification and that is the only welding program they have. I also have some interest in HVAC, so if anyone knows of a tech school around that has both programs, maybe I could get two birds with one stone. Or really any school that offers more than just a 1 quarter long beginners class.
Reply:Originally Posted by MABCOThe community college by me offers some really good programs. It's the most southern part of california minutes from mexico. It's cheap and you learn a ton.
Reply:I can vouch for Hobarts courses. Welding and Inspection. Top notch instructors all around. It is not cheap, but you do get your moneys worth. Also some of the motels, which are nice places, offer discounts to students, and have free shuttles that run back and forth. BB
Reply:Imperial Valley CollegeLook it up on AWS school finder
Reply:Frank Phillips College here in Borger Texas is really good, you should consider it. There is a Conoco Phillips refinery here in town along with two other industrial plants so there is no shortage of construction work. Zachry const. does the maintainance at the refinery and they're always hiring all positions. Hell, I'm working for KBR at the refinery as a combo welder and still go to school at night. Which is another reason why this school is so convinient because they offer a class in the afternoon and one at night. So if you work during the day you can go to school at night. Think about it.
Reply:V4lal,Not sure where you are right now, but if your willing to move to Newport News, you can check out the Apprentice School at the shipyard http://www.apprenticeschool.com/.  I'm not that familiar with the requirements to get in, but if you can get in, you'd be getting paid to go to school and you're set for a job as well.  As a side note, I'm not affiliated with the school in any way, but I do work in the yard, and know a lot of folks in Trades mangaement (and some in engineering) came through the Apprentice School and speak very highly of it.Just another option to ponder, good luck!If it doesn't fit, you aren't hitting it hard enough!Miller AerowaveMiller Radiator 1A4.5" DeWalt (with the paddle switch!)Jackson NexGen Helmet
Reply:Beyond welding, you may want to take a look at WyoTech http://wyotech.eduand here's a link to the American Welding Society Welding School Locator:http://www.aws.org/w/sense/-----------------------Carmen Electrodewww.CarmenElectrode.comand the boss blogs at  www.JoeWelder.comall powered by  www.Arc-Zone.com
Reply:The manufacturers schools would be a good choice, but you will get more out of them after you have some experience. Use it as a follow on...      Weber State College in Ogden Utah has a good course. It is the follow on to the one they closed  at USU in Logan - it was a top 4 program in the nation.. Lots of alumni all over the world. Lots of manufacturers reps, R&D folks, etc came out of that program. At one time some of the guys in charge of welding the space shuttle tanks, and the solid boosters were USU alumni. It is different, you certify all positions, all processes, they don't do underwater anymore. they are a "miller training center" so they have everything  in the miller catalog. Then, after you learn to make sparks and smoke they cover metalurgy, materials, statics, dynamics, welding codes, welding machines, welding inspection and NDT, machining, corrosion engineering, robotics, CNC, electronics, and you finish with a 4 year college degree.. . The last half dozen graduates from Logan all went out at $60,000 plus in 2003 dollars!