What types of places does a Welding Technician work at?

Welding technicians or welders work at a variety of places, including fabrication shops; manufacturing / factories; automotive including performance and racing; shipping including leisure (cruises); building and commercial construction; and field work (pipelines, etc.).

Do Welding Technicians work with customers?

In some cases, a welding technician might work with a customer, depending on the type of business you are employed at and the type of work you will be performing.

How long is the Welding Technology diploma program?

Most students typically complete the Welding Technician program in less than a year. However, your actual time will vary depending on your academic progress, success, the number of courses you take, and other factors.

What should I look for in a top school for Welding Technology training?

Consider your options carefully and look for a school that is nationally accredited. This ensures the program meets generally accepted academic standards. Look for a school that fits your schedule and work-life balance by offering training sessions in the morning, afternoon or evenings. Also, choose a school with advanced welding facilities and find out if your school will prepare you for taking any professional certifications, as well as cover the certification exam costs. It is very important to enroll at a school that will provide you the support you need, such as hands-on classroom activities, tutoring, job placement services, and mentoring by experienced instructors.

What is the certification exam in the Welding Technology program?

During the welding training program, you will be prepared to seek two professional certifications to demonstrate your mastery of the course material: the SMAW and FCAW certifications. The costs of these certifications are included in your training program at IMBC. Graduates often find that obtaining recognized certifications enhances their employment opportunities throughout the community and nation.

Welding Technology (Diploma)

Diploma in Erie, PA

Are you looking to fuse a hands-on career with a rewarding job fixing and creating things people need for everyday life? If you don’t mind breaking a sweat and can stay cool when things get a little hot, then welding is for you.

Program Length: Less than a year¹
Format: On-Campus
Course Length: 6 Weeks
Average Class Size: 25 or Less
Job Outlook: 14,500 New Jobs by 2028²
Job Placement: 88%³

IMBC Student Stories

"The Institute of Welding (at IMBC) helped me every step of the way. They assisted with outside agencies, making school affordable and doable! "

Joshua Gilger, Welding (Diploma)

Did you know that more than 50-percent of all man-made products rely on some form of welding? Transportation, buildings, and factories all rely upon a form of welding for their construction. Welders use handheld or remote-controlled equipment to join or cut metal parts, both small and large. Welders build new items and fix broken ones using this specialized equipment.

There’s a manufacturing resurgence in the U.S., and that is creating new demand for trained welding technicians. As a welder, you’ll be trained to work in a variety of environments, including indoors, outdoors, in a workshop or factory, on the road, on a pipeline, up high on scaffolding or a stadium, in the ocean, or even on a race car team or cruise ship.

IMBC’s program can help welders at all skill levels succeed; from those just entering the field to seasoned veterans. Located at our Erie campus with 32 large welding bays stocked with a full suite of welding tools, you’ll be given hands-on instruction. Students will start with basic welding applications and then proceed to more advanced welding techniques, including mig, tig, pipe, and structural metal welding. Courses also include destructive and non-destructive testing and quality control to ensure that students have a thorough understanding of welding and its applications across a variety of settings. Our welding program includes safety training so that students become familiar with the safety procedures and regulations governing welding and welding environments.

The welding technology program does not require an internship. However, IMBC partners with global organizations, such as the American Welding Society and Lincoln Electric to bring a high-quality welding experience to each student.

Finally, upon the successful completion of your program, you will be prepared to seek two certifications to demonstrate your mastery of the course material: the SMAW and FCAW certifications. The costs of the professional certification exams are included in your program. Certification exams are not required for employment; however, students who pass voluntary third-party certification exams validate their competencies, skills, and abilities in the specialized field of study. IMBC believes students passing certification exams have a more competitive employment advantage for being hired over students with no certification.

Does this sound like a great program for you? Contact IMBC using the form on this page to learn more about enrolling today.

Top questions about the Welding Diploma Training in Erie and career outcomes:

What does a Welding Technician do?
Welders or welding technicians use handheld or remote-controlled equipment to join or cut metal parts (both small and large). Welders build new items and fix broken ones using this specialized equipment.
What types of places does a Welding Technician work at?
Welding technicians or welders work at a variety of places, including fabrication shops; manufacturing / factories; automotive including performance and racing; shipping including leisure (cruises); building and commercial construction; and field work (pipelines, etc.).
Do Welding Technicians work with customers?
In some cases, a welding technician might work with a customer, depending on the type of business you are employed at and the type of work you will be performing.
How long is the Welding Technology diploma program?
Most students typically complete the Welding Technician program in less than a year. However, your actual time will vary depending on your academic progress, success, the number of courses you take, and other factors.
What should I look for in a top school for Welding Technology training?
Consider your options carefully and look for a school that is nationally accredited. This ensures the program meets generally accepted academic standards. Look for a school that fits your schedule and work-life balance by offering training sessions in the morning, afternoon or evenings. Also, choose a school with advanced welding facilities and find out if your school will prepare you for taking any professional certifications, as well as cover the certification exam costs. It is very important to enroll at a school that will provide you the support you need, such as hands-on classroom activities, tutoring, job placement services, and mentoring by experienced instructors.
What are the partnerships at IMBC for the Welding Technology training program?
IMBC partners with global organizations such as the American Welding Society and Lincoln Electric to bring a high-quality welding experience to each student’s training program.
What is the certification exam in the Welding Technology program?
During the welding training program, you will be prepared to seek two professional certifications to demonstrate your mastery of the course material: the SMAW and FCAW certifications. The costs of these certifications are included in your training program at IMBC. Graduates often find that obtaining recognized certifications enhances their employment opportunities throughout the community and nation.

Graduates of this program are prepared to seek entry-level employment as a Welding Technician in the following types of organizations:

Fabrication shops
Manufacturing / factories
Automotive, including performance and racing
Shipping, including leisure (cruises)
Building and commercial construction
Fieldwork (pipelines, etc.)

Some employers and internship sites may require a criminal background check and/or drug testing. Students may need to relocate to obtain gainful employment.

Students are encouraged to take certification exams upon the successful completion of their program. The costs of the professional certification exams are included in your program. Certification exams are not required for employment; however, students who pass voluntary third-party certification exams validate their competencies, skills, and abilities in the specialized field of study. IMBC believes students passing certification exams have a more competitive employment advantage for being hired over students with no certification.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor and Education, it is expected that 14,500 new jobs in this field will be created between 2018 and 2028. As of 2018, there were approximately 424,700 people employed in this field.⁴

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By submitting the information you have provided, you agree that IMBC or its authorized agents may contact you by phone, email, and text message via automated systems to provide you with information about training opportunities at the phone numbers you provided above, including any wireless number(s). You are under no obligation to consent to automated contact to enroll. Alternatively to submitting this form you may call us at 855.773.0758. Note that all calls are recorded for quality assurance.

This figure represents the typical length a program takes to complete. However, your actual program completion time may vary based upon your academic progress, course progression, and any breaks.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2018-2028 Estimated Job Growth: https://www.bls.gov/ooh/production/welders-cutters-solderers-and-brazers.htm
Reported ABHES placement rates for the 2022-2023 reporting year.