Earn Your Wings As A Welder

Earn Your Wings As A Welder

Are you in the Air Force and looking for employment? With advancing technology in all sectors and jobs, it's important for everyone to consider post-secondary training and education. To remain employable in a practical sense and to show potential employers that you have the skill set needed to do the job, earning a certification in a trade skill can be just the ticket to ensuring a stable future for yourself and your family.

Why Employers Want Welders and Tradesmen

With a majority of college students focusing on technology degrees or entering service fields, skilled tradesmen like welders are becoming increasingly rare, despite a rising demand from employers. No matter how technologically advanced a nation becomes, there will always be a need for someone to do the physical repair work on vehicles, buildings and machines.

Not only is welding a highly employable skill, but coupled with the practical experience learned while in the Air Force, you can become much more attractive to potential employers looking for someone with the right certifications, proven work ethic, and a willingness to continue training and education to keep up with modern welding technology and tools.

Fortunately, there are plenty of Air Force friendly schools, veteran school funding services and Air Force scholarships available in most states.

Planning Training and Finding Funding

Most regions have community colleges and vocational, Air Force friendly schools that offer a variety of training programs for welding and other skilled trades. Courses may last from six months to a year or more, depending on the level of certification or degree you hope to achieve. Schedules are typically very flexible at these schools due to the fact that a majority of students are adults with other obligations during the week, making it easy for most people to find the right class schedule.

There are also many different funding sources and Air Force scholarships available, both on a Federal and state level. A college adviser, student counselor or veteran employment specialist can help you determine what grants, scholarships and loans are available for you based on where and when you served, and what region you live and want to attend classes in.

Veteran funding and Air Force scholarships can make returning to school for welding certification a very practical, affordable choice. Some vocational schools and colleges also offer internships and help with job placement after training is completed, making it easier to land a position as a certified, skilled welder.

Train for a Welding Career

Train for a Welding Career

There is a trend sweeping America. Rather than attend a four-year university, many Americans are choosing to take up a trade. As businesses downsize, those who know a trade remain in high demand. This level of job security is appealing to young people. Qualified welders are an integral part of many industries. Welders work on ships, cars, design and construction projects. A certified welder will never be without job opportunities even in the worst times.

There are several options available to those who wish to become a welder. A potential welder can choose to take a welding certification course. A welding certification class can take a few weeks or several years. It all depends on the type of welding the student wishes to learn. After completing a welding course, the real work begins. For welders, on the job training is where they cut their teeth.

The Formal Education Phase of Welding Training

Though welding is a trade, that does not mean that there are not minimum requirements to take a welding certification class. Most require a minimum tenth grade education or a minimum score on an equivalency test. Qualified applicants will be in good physical condition, possess technical aptitude and a working knowledge of geometry. There are many avenues to choose from when beginning the formal education portion of a welding career. Many four-year institutions offer a welding concentration as part of an engineering degree. There are also programs available at community colleges and technical schools. The length of the time spent in the formal education phase depends entirely on how much time the student can commit to classes and the degree desired.

The Apprenticeship Phase of Welding Training

Upon completion of a welding certification course, the prospective welder is ready to begin his formal apprenticeship. The length of an apprenticeship varies from state to state and from discipline to discipline. The school where the student welder receives his education is a terrific resource for securing a position with a reputable company. Once the period of apprenticeship has been completed, the apprentice will become a certified welder.

Becoming a certified welder is no reason to stop learning. Welding is a constantly changing trade. A welder should always make sure his skills are current and constantly strive to learn new techniques. Welding is a trade that allows qualified practitioners to secure positions in a variety of challenging and stimulating fields. It is up to the individual to determine how far they want to go.