Welding

New welding students often have a lot of questions. These questions can range anywhere from work prospects and equipment, to history. Below are a few of the most common questions our instructors receive:

1: Where do welders work?

• Welders can work in a variety of industries, including construction, shipbuilding, industrial maintenance, repair, and manufacturing.

2: What skills are most important for a welder?

• A good welder should not only be well versed in the theory and practice of the different welding applications, but should also have strong problem-solving skills, the ability to read plans and blueprints, and have strong communication skills.

3: Is there really a difference between cheaper and more expensive auto-darkening helmets?

• Personal Protective Equipment, or PPE, is your first line of defense in keeping yourself safe. It is important to read ratings on products before purchase. Spending a bit more may get you a more comfortable and longer lasting helmet.

4: What are the most common types of welding used for?

• Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW): This type of stick welding is most commonly used in industrial fabrication applications to weld iron and steel, fabricate steel structures, and can be used in the shop or in the field.
• Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW/MIG): This is the most common type of industrial welding, and is a bit faster than SMAW because of the continuous electrode wire feed. This application can also be used in the shop or in the field for fabrication.
• Flux Cored Arc Welding (FCAW): FCAW is most commonly used in portable applications to weld thick and out of position metals.
• Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (GTAW/TIG): TIG welding is most commonly used to weld thin sections of stainless steel and copper, aluminum or magnesium alloys.

5: When was welding first used?

• The first historical evidence of a welding process dates back to the Bronze Age. During this time there is evidence of pressure welding being used to create small gold boxes. Later on, people in Egypt and Mediterranean learned how to weld pieces of iron together to make tools.

At Advanced Career Institute, students gain the quality education and training needed to start a new career. Our Welding Program combines both hands-on experience and in-class technical training for California truck driving, commercial and school bus driving, and welding. We have three campuses located throughout California's Central San Joaquin Valley in Fresno, Visalia, and Merced, California. If you are interested in a career in welding or learning more about our programs, please contact us.

Updated February, 2022 Welding jobs continue to increase year over year. As America’s welding industry grows, professionally trained welders are in demand more than ever. New construction, transportation projects, and pipelines for natural gas all contribute to the growing demand for professional welders.

Welder Job Statistics

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that the need for welders is expected to grow by 8 percent by 2030. Welding growing as fast as all other professions in America with an average of 50,000 new jobs opening each year. The growing demand for welders has caused many job seekers to consider a career in welding for a few reasons. The welding industry offers higher than average starting pay, good benefits, and a bright future.

What Welding Employers Look For

However, today’s welders need professional training in relevant practices and new welding technologies. Although the demand for welders is high, employers are still looking for welders with training from a respected school. They want to recruit students who have relevant welder training and experience using appropriate safety practices. Employers struggle to find properly trained professionals who understand how to work in today’s modern welding field. The National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) reports that 4 million new manufacturing jobs will be needed by 2030. This is due to a lack of proper skill and training in the welding industry and needing to decrease the average age of the industry. Luckily, this gives students at Advanced Career Institute an advantage. Additionally, The American Welding Society has predicted a deficit of 400,000 welders by 2024. That shortage is also true for shale gas manufacturers who are struggling to find professional welders with experience in pipefitting. The current shortage of quality welders means there are many job openings across the country. The starting pay for a professionally trained welder is around $45,000+ per year and experienced welders are earning upwards of $70,000+ per year. Interested in taking advantage of this opportunity? Learn more about our quality welder training program at Advanced Career Institute.

Get Quality Welder Training at ACI

The Advanced Career Institute’s welding program is designed to prepare each student to obtain American Welding Society Certification. Students will also receive training in a variety of skills including construction site safety, blueprint and site plan reading, principles of metallurgy, construction math, and welding tool usage. From the shale gas sector to transportation infrastructure construction, professionally trained welders are needed all across the country. This career field offers jobseekers the chance to work in one of the nation’s fastest-growing professions. Start your new career today! Contact us to learn more.

April is National Welding Month, and there has never been a better time to consider a career in this industry.  Welders play an integral role in such areas as retail infrastructure and home improvement.  As automation integrates with the welding field, it creates more opportunity for specialization. The good news is employers are looking for qualified Welding professionals! If you are thinking about changing your career, there are many reasons to investigate and research the welding industry.  Let's take a look at 4 undeniable reasons to become a welder:

1.  Welding is used in many industries

You can find welders in the aerospace, construction, mining, automobile, and shipbuilding industries. As the global economy continues to grow, Welders can rest assured they will have job security and more opportunities.

2.  Automation will continue to integrate with the Welding field

As technology is used more widely than ever before to improve and streamline processes, Welders will have additional specialization openings. Individuals who transition to this professional field will learn the latest methods of mechanical welding.  The materials and processes used will continue to evolve, making it an exciting time to get involved.

3.  No degree is required to enter the job market

With the rising cost of tuition at colleges and universities nationwide, a career in welding provides students with a greater return on investment.  Trainees are ready to work in their field after only 480 training hours. This means having the ability to earn a competitive wage faster than 2-4 years with a college degree.

4.  The California Welder Program is completed in just 24-weeks

Students are prepared to transition to an entry-level welding position, where they will gain additional practical experience.  Skills obtained through training are applied to a variety of growing industries that provide personal and professional growth.  Advanced Career Institute offers their training program at two campuses--Visalia and Fresno.   It doesn't have to be National Welding Month for you to take control of your career.  If you love to design, create and fix things with a variety of materials, Welding may be the perfect next step for you. Contact Advanced Career Institute to begin your career in welding.

Job interviews are always nerve-racking. There's a lot of pressure to perform your very best and show off your skills so that the interviewer shortlists you for the job. Welding, in particular, requires a very specific set of skills, and you need to come prepared for the job interview to show off these skills. Here are four secrets to acing your welding interview so you can land your dream job:

Know the Company

The key to any successful job interview is preparation and research. Learn about the company you are interviewing with by taking a look at their website and reviewing their ratings online. Be able to answer basic questions about what the company does and how welding fits into the company's business.

Study the Job Description

Find out specifics about the job, such as what type of welding processes you'll be asked to do, by studying the job posting. Make sure you are not only familiar with these processes but also prepared with stories about how you have used these processes in training or at your current or previous welding jobs. Be prepared to answer questions about your training and experience with specific welding processes. For example, be able to answer questions like "What is turnkey integration?" and "What's the difference between MIG and TIG welding?".

Rehearse Your Answers

While you won't know exactly what the interviewer is going to ask, it helps to practice your answers to some basic interview questions, such as "Tell me about yourself" or "How do you deal with working under pressure?". With the first question, you have the opportunity to pitch to the interviewer why you are the best candidate. Emphasize your strengths, work ethic, training, experience, and anything else that might be applicable to the job. The interviewer might ask you other questions about your temperament, working with others, and safety habits. Make sure you have strong answers to all of these questions. In addition, prepare some questions for the interviewer about the company and the job to show your interest and preparation.

Dress the Part and Bring Your Materials

Come to the interview dressed for the job. Instead of a suit, wear work gear like a long sleeve shirt, heavy-duty pants, and quality work boots. Since you are likely to be tested in your interview, your clothes should be protective and comfortable to work in. Make sure you bring the necessary materials and equipment to do some welding, such as work gloves, a helmet, grinders, weld treatment, and whatever else is necessary for the specific welding processes. While welding is an in-demand skill, you still need to prepare for the interview to increase your chances of landing your dream job.   What are you waiting for? Advanced Career Institute is ready to help you get started with your welding career. Check out our welding blog posts and contact us today for more information!

Welding is one of the most intimidating trades at first glance, but once you really delve into the facts, it's worth the effort to learn. If you're thinking of beginning training as a welder, there are few key facts to be aware of before stepping into the classroom.

Metallurgy: There is Always More to Learn

Metallurgy is the study of metals and their properties which will be what you primarily learn for welding. Due to the existence of over a hundred metals, there are plenty of different welding procedures and processes to learn. These facts alone make having humility as a welder a necessity. Welding as a whole, is constantly changing. Keeping an open mind and willingness to constantly learn will only benefit you in your welding career.

Thousands of Job Opportunities

There are always openings for experienced welders, but the only way to gain experience is typically by obtaining a welding certificate. The reason for this is because each job requires a performance test. Within this test, you must showcase your welding skills and knowledge. Since you need to learn all that you can about welding in order to pass any performance test, you'll need to obtain a certificate in a specific type of welding. With a certificate in hand, jobs across the country and around the world become available. Not to mention, your salary becomes boundless. Having so many opportunities at your fingertips makes going without a job even in a recession next to impossible.

Don't Be Afraid to Fail

Failure is a part of learning. No matter what knowledge you seek to obtain, you shouldn't expect to be perfect right at the start. A lot of trial and error is required to master any technique. Since you'll never know everything there is to know about welding, failure is something you'll have to accept. While you may be brilliant while in a welding class, being on the job site is a completely different game. Just remember to be consistent. Let your work speak for itself, and keep in mind, if at first you don't succeed, try again.   While welding isn't an easy career, it doesn't take as long as other options to gain a certificate. If you're interested in gaining the opportunity to travel, make more money, and learn new information, contact Advance Career Institute and let us help you get started on a new career in welding.

Have you been thinking about a career in welding, but want to be sure it's right for you?  Have you been looking at educational options, but don't know the right school for you?  Advanced Career Institute is ready to be your answer. 2018 is the perfect time for you to begin your welding career journey.  Let's take a look at five reasons why you should begin taking the steps to become a professional welder.

1. There are jobs in this growing field

   According to the Bureau Labor of Statistics, the projected 10 year growth potential is 4% per year.  With nearly 400,000 open jobs in welding in the U.S. today, you can rest assured the demand for your new skills will remain high.  As more jobs seem to be outsourced and automated, it's comforting to know that welders will continue to serve as a necessary requirement for manufacturing and other industries, across America.

2. The starting pay and financial growth opportunities are promising

   In California, the average annual salary for a professional welder is close to $40,000.00 per year!  As you gain more experience and perfect your trade, you'll have the ability to increase your pay--some welders earn as much as $66,000 or more.

3. You enjoy working outside on a full-time basis, and are excited for a challenge

   Once you've completed your training and start your first job, you can expect to work 40 hours per week, with possible over-time.  Companies are in need of your skills! If you don't love the sunshine and working in outdoor conditions, this probably isn't the right career for you.  On the flip side, if you enjoy fresh air, hard work, and the challenge of meeting project deadlines--you're going to love what your new welding job offers.

4. Quality training will make you outperform others in the field

   Advanced Career Institute offers one of the best programs in California, and has three locations to serve residents.  As a welding student with Advanced Career Institute, you'll receive both classroom and hands-on training, and they cater to the non-traditional or working student.  If you haven't taken a look at ACI as a potential training provider, it's time to get serious about your future.

5. You can complete welding training in as little as 24 weeks

   Advanced Career Institute offers two programs designed to get you in your new job in as little time as possible.  The Welding Technology program is the shortest program, lasts 24 weeks, and is offered at their Visalia and Fresno campuses.  The Advanced Welding Technology program is available at the same campuses, and takes an additional 12 weeks to complete.  Shift your career into high gear with welding training.

What are you waiting for?  Now is the perfect time to get started in a professional field that's going to work for you.  Welding offers quality pay, a strong outlook for the future, and growth opportunities. Advanced Career Institue is ready to help you get started. Contact us today for more information!