CAREER TRAINING RESOURCES

Helpful Information About Potential Welding Careers & Trucking Jobs

Check out this selection of articles below to learn more about career choices and how to prepare for in-demand job opportunities.

  • Learn What Industries Offer Opportunities for a Successful Welding Career

    Welding is a critical skill that supports a wide range of industries, from construction and manufacturing to aerospace and energy. Without skilled welders, essential structures, machinery, and transportation systems wouldn’t be possible. As industries continue to grow and evolve, the demand for trained welders remains strong, offering countless career opportunities for those with the right skills. In this blog, we’ll explore the industries that rely on welders, highlighting the vital role they play and the exciting career paths available in this essential trade.

    Why Welding Is an Essential Skill Across Industries

    Welding jobs are a fundamental trade that serves as the backbone of countless industries, making it one of the most versatile and in-demand skills in the workforce. From towering skyscrapers and massive bridges to intricate aerospace components and high-performance vehicles, welding is responsible for creating and maintaining the structures and equipment that keep the world moving. Beyond construction and manufacturing, welders play a crucial role in emerging industries like renewable energy and advanced technology, ensuring innovation and progress continue. With advancements in automation and specialized welding techniques, the need for skilled welders is only growing, offering job security and career advancement opportunities across a variety of fields.

    Industries That Rely on Welders

    1. Construction and Infrastructure

    The construction industry depends heavily on welders to create and maintain buildings, bridges, and other essential infrastructure. Welders work on steel frameworks, reinforce concrete structures, and ensure the stability of high-rise buildings. Public infrastructure, such as highways, tunnels, and pipelines, also requires skilled welders to maintain and repair metal components. As cities expand and new projects develop, welders remain at the forefront of this industry.

    2. Manufacturing and Fabrication

    Manufacturing is one of the largest industries for welders, offering employment in factories that produce everything from household appliances to industrial machinery. Welders work with metal components to assemble products, reinforce materials, and ensure durability. Many modern manufacturing facilities use automated welding processes, but skilled welders are still needed to oversee production, inspect welds, and handle intricate tasks that machines cannot perform.

    3. Automotive and Transportation

    Welders play a significant role in the automotive industry, helping to build and repair cars, trucks, and even public transportation systems like buses and trains. Every vehicle contains welded components that contribute to its safety and efficiency. Welders also work on custom automotive projects, such as race cars and specialty vehicles, creating high-performance frames and exhaust systems. With the rise of electric and autonomous vehicles, the demand for specialized welding skills in this field is increasing.

    4. Aerospace and Aviation

    Precision welding is crucial in the aerospace industry, where aircraft and spacecraft require strong, lightweight, and durable materials. Aerospace welders work on airplane fuselages, jet engines, and satellite components, using advanced techniques like TIG welding and laser welding to ensure structural integrity. The high standards and safety regulations in aerospace welding make this a challenging but rewarding career path.

    5. Shipbuilding and Maritime Industry

    The maritime industry depends on welders to build and repair ships, submarines, and offshore drilling platforms. These structures must withstand extreme weather conditions and the constant wear of saltwater exposure. Some welders in this field specialize in underwater welding, a highly skilled and high-paying profession that involves working in submerged environments to repair ship hulls, pipelines, and offshore structures.

    6. Energy and Power Generation

    Welding is essential in the energy sector, helping to construct and maintain pipelines, power plants, and renewable energy systems. In the oil and gas industry, pipeline welders work in challenging environments to ensure the safe transportation of fuel. Meanwhile, the renewable energy sector relies on welders to build wind turbine towers, solar panel structures, and hydroelectric power facilities. As the world shifts toward sustainable energy, welders will continue to play a crucial role in shaping the future of power generation.

    7. Agriculture and Heavy Equipment

    Farms and agricultural businesses rely on welders to repair and maintain heavy machinery, including tractors, plows, and irrigation systems. Welding is used to build sturdy equipment that can endure rough conditions and heavy use. Skilled welders in this industry ensure that farmers and construction workers have the durable tools they need to operate efficiently.

    8. Military and Defense

    The military relies on welders to build and maintain vehicles, ships, aircraft, and infrastructure used in national defense. Military welders may work on armored vehicles, aircraft carriers, or even weapons systems, ensuring they meet strict durability and performance standards. Some welders in this industry work directly for government agencies, while others are employed by defense contractors.

    How to Get Started in Welding for These Industries

    For those interested in a welding career, proper training and certifications are essential. Many industries require specialized welding skills, so gaining hands-on experience and obtaining certifications from organizations can open doors to high-paying opportunities. Enrolling in a welding training program, such as the one offered at Advanced Career Institute, can help aspiring welders build a strong foundation and gain the technical knowledge needed to succeed in various industries.

    Why Welding Is a Strong Career Choice

    Welding jobs offer security, career advancement, and excellent earning potential. As industries continue to expand and evolve, the demand for skilled welders remains steady. Whether working on massive infrastructure projects, high-tech aerospace components, or cutting-edge renewable energy systems, welders have the opportunity to build a fulfilling career in a field that keeps the world running. From construction and manufacturing to aerospace and energy, skilled welders are needed in nearly every industry. Welding jobs provide stability, diverse career paths, and opportunities for professional growth. If you're considering a hands-on career with strong earning potential, welding could be the perfect choice for you.
    Start your welding journey today with Advanced Career Institute and gain the skills needed to work in these essential industries!
  • Las Vegas Campus Celebrates Another Successful Open House!

    On Saturday January 11th, we held an open house at our CDL school in Las Vegas for aspiring truck drivers. We held this event to allow people interested in our classes to get hands-on experience at our facility! From classroom tours, to meeting with industry professionals, and even allowing our prospective students to see our training yard and trucks up close and personal, we are happy to show them everything that Advanced Career Institute’s CDL school has to offer! [video width="800" height="800" mp4="https://advanced.edu/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/January-2024-Blog-Carosel.mp4"][/video]   From the first day, we make it a top priority to prepare our students for their future! With state-of-the-art equipment and hands-on training, we are ready to show our students the importance of their work in truck driving. Advanced Career Institute combines comprehensive classroom instruction with hands-on range training to equip students with essential driving knowledge. Students gain valuable behind-the-wheel experience under the guidance of skilled instructors. We also offer hands-on truck driving simulation training to prepare students for real-world driving scenarios. Their state-of-the-art simulators provide a safe and controlled environment for mastering essential skills and techniques. The benefits of studying at Advanced Career Institute’s CDL school don’t stop there. Throughout your time here, you’ll have the opportunity to network with several of our trucking partners! We're here to help you build your relationships in our industry to help you kickstart your career! If you’re looking to drive your career in a new direction, Advanced Career Institute is here to help you! ACI open houses connect you with others and simplify the process of getting started! Keep an eye out HERE for our next event! Call us at 877-649-9614 or reach out online to start your journey today! We would love to help you learn more about enrolling in your future!
  • image of 2 trucks in a CDL training lot

    Exploring Future Industry Trends

    In a world where technology keeps advancing, the trucking industry is gearing up for some big changes. From self-driving trucks to eco-friendly ways of moving goods, let's take a peek into what's ahead for trucking.

    Autonomous Vehicles

    A hot topic in the industry is the arrival of self-driving trucks. Although fully self-driving trucks might not be here yet, we're already seeing some features that help trucks drive themselves a bit. Things like adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping assistance are being added to trucks. These features not only make driving safer but also help trucks use less fuel.

    Smart Planning with Data

    Trucking companies now have superpowers thanks to data. They can track their trucks in real-time and use that info to plan better routes, save fuel, and make deliveries faster.

    Eco-Friendly Trucks

    People are worried about the environment, so trucking is going green. Electric trucks that run on clean energy are becoming popular. They don't pollute like regular trucks and can save money in the long run.

    Keeping Things Moving, No Matter What

    The COVID-19 pandemic showed how important it is to keep things moving, even when there are big problems. Trucking companies are learning to be ready for anything by making their plans more flexible and smart. In short, the future of trucking is all about using new tech and being kinder to the planet. While there are still some bumps in the road, like rules and roads that need upgrading, the future looks exciting. With teamwork between truckers, lawmakers, and tech experts, we're set to roll into a smarter, greener tomorrow for trucking! Get started in towards a career in trucking today! Call our admissions team at 866-951-4821 to learn more about enrolling with ACI!
  • image of welder with helmet down welding on metal bar

    How to Become a More Efficient Welder

    Whether you’re an experienced welder or just graduated from welding training, there are standard welding practices every welder should follow. Along with this, welders should be aware of common mistakes across the industry. Read more about some of the most common welding mistakes within the industry and how you can avoid them in the future.

    Lack of Preparation

    Lack of preparation in any industry is unprofessional and should not be taken lightly when prepping to weld. Thoroughly preparing the metal you will be welding to remove any paint, rust, dirt, and other foreign substances is vital in ensuring the surfaces are clean. Failure to do so could lead to a weak weld on the pieces of metal. Cleaning isn’t the only major thing you should prep for before welding. Knowing the type of metal and its measurements is important in knowing how to weld the pieces together and if they will need multiple passes. Knowing the measurements of the specific metal types you are welding and adequately cleaning them will help you better prepare before welding. This knowledge will also help you determine a plan of action for how to execute the welds. Many of the other common welding mistakes stem from a lack of preparation.

    Safety Precautions

    Safety is the top priority in welding and almost every occupation today. Working with flammable gases, sharp metal, debris, and a torch daily presents welders with a lot of liability. Making sure you know the proper safety precautions before diving into a weld can prevent accidents and even be lifesaving. To begin with, some of the most common precautions are personal protective equipment (PPE) pieces. These include work boots (preferably steel-toe), hearing protection, welding shield/helmet, and safety glasses. Ensuring you have the basic safety requirements is always an easy place to start when taking proper safety precautions. Your preparation before welding will help with safety too! Since you have prepared for what you are welding, you will know the appropriate types of welds needed for the job. Preparation goes a lot farther than just knowing what you will be welding.

    Wire and Electrode Selection

    Before welding, it is essential to choose the correct wiring and electrodes needed for the job. This is regardless of the type of welding you will be doing (the three most popular are stick, flux-core, and MIG). Electrodes and wires are suited for different welding applications and need specific types to be effective. Knowing which types work with the different welds you are performing can save you from re-doing any wrong ones.

    Interpass and Preheat Temperatures

    Like many common appliances and machinery, welding machines must be preheated before using them. Failure to preheat your machine and the metal area surrounding the weld to the proper temperature before conducting the weld can lead to problems and create more work for yourself. Proper preheating leads to fewer cracks and helps prevent future issues with the weld. Choosing the correct interpass temperature will help to solidify and correctly conduct your weld between the metals. Knowing what temperature is needed for the thickness and type of metal you are welding will help your weld and your preparation. Having correct preheat and interpass temperatures can save you from having to re-do a weld and other headaches that may result. Proper welding training can be a huge step in becoming a successful welder and avoiding these common welding mistakes. You will learn the proper preparation and techniques to weld various metals correctly. Qualified students can apply for tuition assistance programs and work with our job placement team to find openings with local and national employers! Get started in your welding career today! Call our admissions team at 866-951-4821 to learn more about enrolling with ACI!
  • image of four of ACI's Campuses on a blue background

    Which campus works for you?

    Advanced Career Institute has been in business for over 30 years. We have grown to five campuses that provide students in California and Nevada with the best training as they work toward getting their CDLs and welding certifications. Learn about each of our campuses and find the perfect one for your needs.

    Visalia CDL Training and Welding Training

    The ACI Visalia campus is our oldest campus, having been open since 1993. However, it has recently moved to a new state-of-the-art facility in 2022. The new Visalia campus is located at 1243 N Clancy St, Visalia, CA 9329, and offers students both CDL and welding training courses. The complete list of the courses provided at Visalia is Class A CDL training, Advanced Class A CDL training, CDL refresher training, Agricultural Transportation training, and advanced welding training. The new Visalia campus provides students access to the four-acre truck driving yard and our 5,000 sq. ft. welding lab.

    Fresno CDL and Welding Training

    Our Fresno campus, located at 2953 S. East Avenue, Fresno, California 93725, was the second campus we opened in July 2000. When we opened our Fresno campus, welding also joined our programs list. As of 2022, the programs offered at our Fresno campus are Class A CDL training, Advanced Class A CDL training, Agricultural Transportation training, and Advanced Welding training.

    Merced CDL Training

    Due to increased student demand, we opened our Merced campus in March of 2015. Our Merced campus is at 1741 Ashby Rd, Suite B, Merced, CA 95348. The Merced campus offers Class A CDL training, Advanced Class A CDL training, CDL refresher training, and Agricultural Transportation training. Merced helps us reach all students in the Valley and give them the best Commercial truck driver training possible.

    Bakersfield CDL and Welding Training

    ACI Bakersfield is one of three campuses offering both CDL training and welding courses. Our Bakersfield campus is located at 2925 Mosasco St., Unit B, Bakersfield, CA 93312, and has been open since 2018. Our CDL training programs include our Class A CDL training, Agriculture Transportation training, Advanced Class A CDL training, and a CDL refresher course. Our Bakersfield campus also offers ACI’s advanced welding training, our 38-week welding certification course.

    Las Vegas CDL Training

    In 2020 we opened the ACI Las Vegas campus using our over 30 years of knowledge in the trucking industry to provide the best training in the North Las Vegas area for our students. We opened our Las Vegas campus at 4020 E Lone Mountain Rd Suite 100 North Las Vegas, NV 89081; it became our fifth campus. The Las Vegas campus offers Class A CDL training, Advanced Class A CDL training, CDL refresher training, and Agricultural Transportation training. Students that attend our Las Vegas will have access to our four-acre paved training yard and new upgraded classrooms.

    Come to ACI to be trained by the best staff in California! Contact us today to reserve your seat at one of our campuses.

  • image of ACI Campus at Sunset

    Welcome to our new California Welding and CDL Training Facility

    Big news at ACI! We have officially moved into our newly built Visalia campus! Our new campus is located at 1243 N Clancy St. Visalia, CA 93291. Our upgraded facility has improved CDL training and welding facilities, allowing students to further their careers in a new state-of-the-art learning environment.

    CDL Training at our Visalia, CA Campus

    Our CDL training facilities have grown! Our 4-acre training yard is freshly paved and painted. Our students have plenty of room to practice all backing maneuvers and get comfortable operating a commercial vehicle. Our new driving range allows 7 to 8 trucks on the yard at once, with multiple students simultaneously practicing different parts of training. ACI’s new Visalia campus has dedicated spaces to practice pre-trip inspections, different driving techniques, and classrooms for students to study. These classrooms have been upgraded with the latest education technologies to allow students a modern learning environment. We have also added a new covered, outdoor lunch area when students are ready for a much-deserved break. We are ecstatic about the opening of our new campus, and can now train anywhere between 75 and 85 students at any given time. ACI Visalia's RangeMultiple Trucks On Visaila's Range

    Welding Training at ACI’s Visalia Campus

    Students are given a warm welcome to the brand-new welding lab at our Visalia Campus. The state-of-the-art welding lab is 5,000 sq ft. Welding students have dedicated areas to practice the various welding techniques required to receive their American Welding Society certification. Our new space has increased ventilation and private welding bays for each student to focus individually on mastering their craft. Same as our CDL students, welding students also have access to our upgraded classrooms and have a dedicated space to learn about blueprint reading, construction math, and site/shop safety. With ACI’s new welding lab and our four-class schedules, there can be 100 welding students at our facility on any given day! New Visalia Campus BulidingNew Welding Lab

    Student-centered Improvements

    Students' success is important to us at ACI, and our new Visalia campus has our student's success at its core. Students can expect an improved experience from start to finish. We have upgraded our front office spaces so that new and current students can quickly and easily find the help they need. Our admissions staff have private offices to help you find your perfect training path and our job placement team has a dedicated space to help you find the perfect job after graduation from Advanced Career Institute. Student lounges and a spacious kitchen area give students a space to relax and feel at home while training at ACI.  Updated ClassroomsMain Office Area Are you ready to experience all that our new Visalia campus can offer? If so, contact us today at 877-649-9614 to get started!  
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