CAREER TRAINING RESOURCES

Great welders have several things in common. These are some of the traits, qualities, characteristics, and skills that separate the great welders from the "good enough." Here are just a few that ACI feels stands above the others in determining great welders among others.

Highly Trained

The greatest welders attended premier welding schools like Advanced Career Institute in California. They receive the core theory, training and hands-on welding time necessary to pass the various American Welding Society tests and performance qualifications.

Students of the Craft

This means they applied and dedicated themselves to the diligent study, learning and practice of welding.

Grounded in the Fundamentals

You must know the basics of welding inside and out. A firm foundation in the fundamentals provide the stair steps needed to achieve the skill levels common in great welders. There's a reason algebra is not your first math course.

Informed About the Industry

Highly sought after welders keep up to date on the latest industry changes and regulations, especially safety.

Subject Matter Experts

Being the subject matter expert not only means you know about a great deal about welding. It also means you never stop learning.

Superb Manual Dexterity

Better known as "great hands" are common to "great welders." Hand skills and coordination are developed through proper training in technique and practice, practice, practice.

Self-Motivation

Welders often work alone. They are assigned a task or handed a set of blueprints and sent to accomplish the job. The self-motivated welder figures out the most efficient way to get the job done.   5 of the 7 characteristics for "great welders" are rooted in the school students attend and the training that school provides. It's evident that those who want to be superior welders need good training. Cutting edge training helps you achieve the skills common to the best welders in the industry. Advanced Career Institute welcomes and invites you to contact us to discuss your future.

They're such a fixture on the interstate landscape that the faceless men and women who navigate those 18-wheeled ships are taken for granted. They go about their business every day blending in with the lanes of vehicles. Much like a caped crusader, these professional drivers are fulfilling a much-needed service. Just what is the impact these superheroes in disguise have on the American economy and lifestyle?

Transportation of Goods

According to the American Trucking Association (ATA), the trucking industry contributes to transporting more than $700 billion in revenue by logging over 450 billion miles annually. More than 80% of all goods moved in the United States are transported by truck. What are the commodities so vitally important to Americans?

• Raw products from quarries, farms, and mines
• Food and water supplies
• Medical goods
• Service station fuel
• Waste removal
• ATM cash supplies

Employment

Thanks to a growing global economy and e-commerce, the need for truckers to transport finished products to homes and retailers is steadily increasing. In fact, the ATA estimates that the employment rate for truckers will continue to climb by 3.4% a year through 2028.

First Responders

These unassuming champions of the road are often in a position of being first responders to accidents. Truckers may be able to react at the scene of an accident in those first few critical moments that can mean the difference between life and death. As road warriors, they're also in a unique position to recognize the signs of human trafficking and alert law enforcement.   While you may not see a caped crusader behind the wheel of one of those big rigs, these superheroes in disguise are present on the road every day contributing as vitally important members of society. For more information on how you can join this crucial profession, contact Advanced Career Institute.

Whether you're looking into a welding training program, or coming to the completion of your current welding training program, you might be wondering what to expect in your first year as a welder. Your first year after welder training is full of opportunities, decisions, and questions. These are the four most common questions welders have during their first year on the job:

1. What certification do I need as a welder?

The American Welding Society (AWS) provides welder performance tests as a way to let your future employers know that you are qualified for the job at hand. If you're attending California's Advanced Career Institute, along with receiving a Certificate of Completion, you will be provided the opportunity to take multiple AWS tests.

2. What will I be paid as an entry-level welder?

In California, entry-level welders can earn between 16 and 25 dollars an hour, which amounts to a base pay of 32,000 to 50,000 dollars a year before benefits and bonuses. Keep in mind, some industries pay welders more than others. For example, in some situations, underwater welders can be paid over a thousand dollars a day for their time and labor. This however, does require additional training and education.

3. What are my job opportunities as an entry-level welder?

As a welder, your job opportunities are nearly endless. Almost every industry has the need for welders and the skills they bring. You can work with construction, shipbuilding, aerospace engineering, automobile manufacturing, pipelines, computers and advanced technology, medical devices, etc. With enough experience, passion, and education, you can even work as a welding teacher!

4. Do I need further training or an apprenticeship?

The need for further training is completely dependent on your goals within your field. After completing the program at Advanced Career Institute, you will be fully prepared to take your qualification exams and enter the field of welding as an entry-level welder. While on the job, you may see things that you'd like to better understand. You may also work firsthand with engineers who spark your interest in engineering. To better understand what you're working with, or even to further your education to become an engineer, you will need more education and training. Normally, a welder training program replaces the need for an apprenticeship, but in certain specialized fields, like underwater welding, you may be asked to start as an apprentice so as to learn while on the job.   Your first year as a welder will be full of on the job learning and exciting growth opportunities. If you have any questions regarding the welder training program, please feel free to contact the Advanced Career Institute. ACI is excited to help get you started with your Welding Training at 3 of our campus locations; Fresno, Visalia, and Bakersfield.

Bakersfield, CA – Advanced Career Institute would like to announce their newest location in Bakersfield, California. Their new school is located at 2925 Mosasco St. Unit B, Bakersfield, CA 93312, the former John Lopez Welding School. ACI had their first welding class start on Wednesday, July 24, 2018. President of Advanced Career Institute, Barry Bither said, “It is with great excitement that I am able to announce we opened with our first welding class in Bakersfield… All of our staff has done a great job getting the new campus off to a great start. We have completed the purchase of John Lopez Welding School and wish John all the best in his retirement. In the next few weeks, we will be diligently working on adding all of our truck driving programs to the new campus. Please welcome the new employees we are adding to the ACI family.” The new Bakersfield Campus will have both Welding and CDL Training. The Welding Training will consist of the Advanced Welding Technology Program that lasts 38-weeks and a new Basic Plate Welding Program that will last 5-weeks. The CDL Training programs at the Bakersfield Campus will consist of their Professional Truck Driver Program, lasting 4-weeks, and the more advanced Agriculture Transportation Training Course lasting 20-weeks. The first transportation class start date will be August 13, 2018. Like all ACI Campuses, Bakersfield students will gain the quality education and training needed to start a new career. Advanced Career Institute programs combine both hands-on experience and in-class technical training. ACI offers financial aid to those who qualify. The Admissions staff will work with every student to determine their eligibility, and then help them apply for financial aid. The Career Services staff will provide students with the tools that are necessary to find employment, which includes helping them search and apply for current job openings. All staff and instructors at Advanced Career Institute are excited about this new school opening in Bakersfield and the potential to help new students begin their careers in trucking and welding. For more information about our Bakersfield Campus and the training programs provided, call us at 661-535-1480.  

We all know that there's currently a huge truck driver shortage. The need to transport items to and from stores only continues to grow, even as the baby boomers start to retire from their careers, including trucking. Now is your perfect time to step in. You can be the solution to this shortage, and the time has never been better. You're confident that you can handle the big rigs. Now you're ready to take the leap and begin training at Advanced Career Institute. Before you start this journey of a lifetime, let's take a look at some of the traits shared by all top-notch truckers:

Endurance

Truck drivers are in it for the long haul. You should be capable of staying alert for long periods of time. If you're able to sustain your energy on long car trips without shaking yourself awake, you have one of the most important assets required of a truck driver.

Focus

You're not distracted by notifications on your phone. You're able to focus your attention where it belongs, on the safe operation of your vehicle. You keep your eyes on the road.

Excellent Awareness

You never understood why people make such a big deal out of parallel parking their little cars. You're able to park in tight spaces and maneuver your way through narrow city streets and dark, endless roads - no problem.

Punctuality

You keep your word and show up on time. It's important to you to get the job done because you know that people are relying on you. In trucking, you must be self-motivated to keep on schedule.

You're Okay Being Alone

You enjoy your alone time - in fact, you treasure it. You've always been perfectly happy to do your own thing. If this describes you, trucking may be the ideal lifestyle for you.   If you have all of these traits, you have already begun your journey toward becoming a truck driver! The next step is simple - contact us at Advanced Career Institute to begin training for your goals! You're ready for the job of a lifetime - driving solo and experiencing what life has to offer on the open road.

Over the years, many misconceptions have developed about what it's like to be a truck driver. The truth is that truck driving is growing at a steady rate with opportunities left and right for qualified individuals. Unfortunately, getting some people to think beyond what they have heard or been told, isn't always easy. Here are five common misconceptions about truck driving and the real truth about each.

1. There's No Money in Trucking

The truth is that wages for truck drivers are better than ever! Companies are looking for reliable individuals that are properly qualified. Because every company is going after the same talent pool, they are highly competitive when it comes to pay. Often, you can even get reimbursed for your truck driver training classes.

2. You're Gone all the Time

While this is the case for some types of drivers, it's important to know that there are all kinds of truck driving jobs. Many of these jobs are regional and/or local that will put you home at the end of your workday. Just because you drive a truck doesn't mean that you have to go across the country for weeks at a time.

3. It's a Lonely Life

Truck driving allows for meeting, communicating and working with a lot of different people. Truck drivers will meet new people all the time, with opportunities to share the bond of the road. With modern technology in many trucks, drivers can stay connected and have conversations with just about anyone even while they drive.

4. Uncomfortable Living Arrangements

If you look at most of the trucks on the road today, you might notice that there are actually pretty roomy sleeping cabs. Truck drivers don't have to be uncomfortable when they pull over to get some rest. They can only drive a certain amount of time each day, giving them plenty of opportunity for rest in a comfortable environment, even when on the road.

5. Men Only

There are a high number of women that drive trucks for a living. The profession is not just for men, with women being accommodated and welcomed in every segment of the trucking industry. Don't let gender get in the way of a very inclusive and equal opportunity profession.   These are just some of the many misconceptions that people have about the trucking industry. If you are interested in taking the next step into the exciting world of truck driving, contact us to help get you started down the path to success in this booming industry.