Post High School Welding Education?

[nhrocker]

I'm looking at changing my major next year and am interested in transfering (or just dropping out) to go for something along the lines of welding and fabrication. I did take a Welding Technologies class in high school, but I want to learn more. The education and experience is what I'm looking for, but a chance for any certification would be a good plus. I would like to be able to save money and commute from home (Claremont, NH), but that's not completely necessary. If anyone knows of any good educational facilities for anything along these lines, feel free to share them and any info/opinions on them! TIA!

 

[DDCxj]

Check out the vocational high schools around you. I know of a couple that have night courses for welding. My dad took one about 30 years ago and he said he learned a ton from it and same with one of the mechanics I work with. They arent expensive either, i think last year it around $300 but I'm not positive on that.

Dean

 

[nhrocker]

I have heard of some tech colleges in Nashua and Manchester, NH that have welding classes, but I have no clue how good they are and they're at least and hour and a half from me. I'm willing to travel for the classes, or possibly move there, but only if they're worth it. I'm hoping that someone on here has taken or knows someone who has taken some of these courses so I can get an idea of if they're worth it. In the course I took in high school I was able to work with arc, MIG, plasma cutters, old school lathes, oxyacetylene for cutting, and some other stuff, but we only covered enough to get us working on projects. I would like to learn more and get the added experience with different equipment and techniques. Thanks for the tip on the vocational high schools, I'm going to see if I can find any in the area. Anyone else know any good schools for this?

 

[Ludakris]

Check out the local Community Colleges. I know my local one has a welding class that allows for certification at the end of the class. its around $300 for the semester as was mentioned.. and the cert costs extra.
I went to LCCC (luzerne county community college) in Nanticoke, PA.. they have a Motorsports Technology AAS degree program. I had 3 semesters of welding and fabricating, we did brazing, hard rivits, gas, mig, and tig. Also did some metal fabrication and such. I was the second (7years ago) or so graduating class, so it was still improving.. Welding is one of those things that ya need seat time with.. I plan on taking a class once I buy a mig.. so that I can be practicing what I have learned.. From what I see.. if you want to make a solid career out of this stuff.. look into Wyo Tech.. their main campus.. it looks like they are the real deal. I only touched on it after graduation and I guess i didnt have the drive.. but it can be a hard business to be in...

 

[1989laredoxj]

I agree with highschool night classes they offer them at my highschool i got to a vocational school, and my shop teacher takes it and hes a carpentry teacher. College courses would be good to

 

[RichP]

Lincoln tech has them as either stand alone or part of their automotive tech.

 

[nhrocker]

Sadly, my high school dropped the welding program altogether and my local tech college doesn't offer it. So now I'm trying to find other schools around that offer it. Online searches seem to only turn up larger schools in other parts of the country.....Anyone know of any more in the VT, NH, Mass area?

Thanks again for all the responses!

 

[RichP]

Lincoln techs are all over the place. Here in pa, one is in philly and another in allentown...third that I know of is in the newark NJ area. Look in the phone book or call a local metal supplier...

 

[Eagle]

If the course doesn't get you a certificate, don't waste your money. If you intend to earn a living as a welder, be advised that many types of work, such as structural welding for buildings, bridges, etc., require A.W.S. certified welders. And the welders must be certified for the type of work being performed. For example, overhead welding is more difficult, and there's a separate cetrtification level for that. If you don't have that cert, you can't do overhead welding on a project requiring it.

 

[Ludakris]

do a search for welding companies also. I know there are a few companies that offer classes in Baltimore... others would probably offer them up in your area.. maybe in the Grouten (sp?) CT area or so...

 

[vfly172]

Do a search on NEOW. I know people over there have gone to the NH Tech in Nashua, and other local places. THere are alot more people on NEOW in the NH/ME area that could help you out.