Welding classes can be found at vocational schools and community colleges across the United States. Students in welding classes learn to weld different types of metals together using a variety of welding processes. The most common welding processes taught in welding classes are gas tungsten arc welding (GTAW), gas metal arc welding (GMAW), shielded metal arc welding (SMAW), and flux-cored arc welding (FCAW).
Welding classes typically last for eight to twelve weeks, and students can expect to learn the following topics:
Safety procedures for welding
Welding equipment and setup
Welding techniques
Metals and alloys
Welding defects and how to fix them
Welding certification is not typically required to weld metals, but many employers prefer to hire welders who have been certified by the American Welding Society (AWS). The AWS offers several different welding certifications, including certified welder (CW), certified welder fabricator (CWI), certified welder instructor (CWI), and certified welder specialist (CWS).