The metal-working field is absolutely one of the fastest-growing industries in the U.S., and by signing-up right now for welding schools in Athens AL, you can begin working towards your position as a certified welder.
Many classes can be completed in a matter of 6 months, meaning you can be sitting for the AWS certification exam within a few months or so after completing your course..
Read on to educate yourself about the entry requirements for welding programs in Athens AL, how to become a licensed welder, and just what to expect in the local job market.
Uncover more on professions in welding by checking out the rest of this cost-free information resource!
Requirements
Prerequisites for Welding Schools
It’s vital to meet all of the conditions for becoming a welding specialist prior to beginning your training program.
- Be able to communicate competently spoken and written English
- You must be a minimum of 18 years of age
- Own a GED or high school diploma
Top Certified Welding Schools in Alabama
The following welding schools in your area at the moment are accepting new students. To pick the best school, you are advised to obtain info from a couple of schools before choosing one.
Certification Requirements
Why Should a Certification Mean as Much as it Does?
There are a few several types of certificates that you can get by graduating from welding classes in Athens AL. Owning these certifications will help you in several important areas.
- Having an AWS certification or some other specialized certificate generally leads to better pay
- Staying qualified separates you from other applicants when looking for jobs
- Certified individuals are eligible for hire with a greater number of companies
Common Welding Certificates
While the American Welding Society’s standard CW (Certified Welder) card paves the way for almost all job opportunities, a number of industries will require a specific certificate. Examples of the most-popular of these are highlighted below.
- API Certification for those who deal with pipelines in the energy field
- American Society of Mechanical Engineers Certification for those that deal with boiler and pressurized containers
- Certified Welding Instructor and Senior Certified Welding Instructor Certificates for inspectors and senior inspectors
- Certified Welder Credentials to be a Certified Welder
Learn a lot more about welding certificates by visiting here!
Career and Wage
Growth of Jobs for Welding Specialists in Athens AL
welders in Alabama are fortunate as the latest projections from O*Net Online show good growth. The nationwide growth rate for this job is well ahead of the average for all careers and is also among the highest in the welding industry. Considering the variety of advantageous factors to help you, the time has never been better to be a welding specialist.
The following graphic shows wages and employment projections for professional welders in the State of Alabama through the end of the decade.
| Alabama | Employment | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | 2022 | Change | Annual Job Openings | |
| Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | 9,000 | 10,420 | 14% | 350 |
| Alabama | Annual Salary | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Low | Median | High | |
| Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers |
$24,000 | $35,600 | $51,400 |
Source: O*Net Online
Things You Will Be Taught in Welding Specialist Courses
If it is time to choose which certified welding schools you are going to sign up for, there are points that you want to look over. Once you start looking around, you’ll find lots of classes, but what precisely should you check for when picking welder schools? Before you decide to enroll in a school, make sure that you validate that the welding specialist course is currently certified by the American Welding Society. Although not as necessary as accreditation, you may want to check out several of the following parts as well:
- Look for schools that cover AWS SENSE standards
- Be sure the institution trains on equipment that matches present trade guidelines
- Determine if the school supplies financial support
- Ensure that the college’s program features courses in GTAW, SMAW, pipe welding and GMAW
Prepare Today for Your Career of Tomorrow!
With all the valuable information we now have supplied, you should be prepared to decide on your welding schools!
Welding Schools Staff