Welding apprenticeships are one of the most common ways for aspiring welders to gain experience in their trade. Working under the guidance of an experienced welder, welding apprentices learn and perfect various techniques, positions, and skills. All in a professional, hands-on setting.
The exact length of your apprenticeship can vary, but typically a welding apprenticeship will last between 3 to 5 years. Upon completion of an apprenticeship, a welder will then be authorized to work on his or her own.
Learn more about what apprenticeships have to offer up-and-coming welders.
What Are the Benefits of a Welding Apprenticeship?
The benefits of getting a welding apprenticeship extend beyond gaining the in-person experience you need to learn various welding techniques. We’ll take a more in-depth look at the value welding apprenticeships have to offer.
Also take a look at: “Welding Trade School vs. Apprenticeship”
Hands-On Learning from an Experienced Professional Welder
From day one, apprentices will work under the direction of an experienced welder. It’s important to stress that these welders bring years — sometimes decades — of experience to the table.
For example, a welder might demonstrate a different technique or angle to simplify a specific weld. These personal experiences serve as invaluable tools throughout an apprenticeship as an apprentice learns the trade.
Ability to Earn as You Learn
Apprenticeships are unique from other training opportunities in the sense that they are paid positions, giving prospective welders the opportunity to earn while they learn. This aspect of apprenticeships is especially favorable for those who want to enter the workforce as quickly as possible. For this reason, many students who are fresh out of high school opt for apprenticeships.
Competitive Advantage
Whether you’re later in your career, or transitioning from an apprentice to journeyman status, welders who begin as apprentices may experience a slight advantage in the job market. Not only is it advantageous to learn hands-on, but also working directly on an active job site can help welders stand out to potential employers, as well.
Networking Opportunities
Learning from an experienced welder also helps apprentices build connections with other welders. Of course, an apprentice can connect with their instructors, but he or she also gets the opportunity to get to know and work with other welders on a worksite. These connections can lead to future job opportunities, possible referrals, and later career advancement.
What Do You Learn in a Welding Apprenticeship?
Welding apprenticeships involve a combination of instruction and hands-on training. What you’ll learn in an apprenticeship is similar to what’s taught in a welding program at a vocational school or community college, but apprenticeships involve more on-the-job work in actual worksties.
What’s taught in a welding apprenticeship includes:
- Different welding techniques including MIG, TIG, Stick, and Flux-Cored
- Material preparation such as cutting, cleaning, and positioning
- Blueprint reading
- Different metallic properties and how to work with them
- Safety protocol
- Equipment maintenance
- Various welding certifications
- Advanced welding techniques
Listed above are just some of the many aspects of welding that apprentices learn on job sites.
Welding Apprenticeship or Welding School?
As you can see, there are many benefits of choosing a welding apprenticeship. Finding welding programs through a school, however, is still a great way to get welding training too. The choice between either is yours, and depends on what works best for you.
Some people who learn better in a classroom setting opt for welding school. Whereas others, who want to quickly jump into the workforce and begin making money while they learn, thrive in an apprenticeship. Whichever way you get started in the industry, welding careers are rewarding and fulfilling to all who are passionate about welding.
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