Welding

 While there are a few different paths to take to become a welder, most employers are looking for job candidates who have technical training through a trade school that can help them learn foundational skills like how to read blueprints, mechanical drawing, and shop mathematics. 

Summit College El Cajon’s Welding program has a few requirements for our applicants: 

• Be 18 years or older 
• Provide an acceptable high school diploma, GED, or equivalent 
• Complete an interview with an Admissions Advisor 
• Meet the required level of proficiency with speaking, reading, writing, and understanding English 

Once you’ve successfully graduated, you’re in a good position to apply for entry-level welding jobs, although you should expect that the first few months on the job will include additional supervised training.

If you’ve looked into welding training, you’ve likely seen programs talk about TIG versus MIG versus SMAW and been confused about just what exactly all of it means. Here’s a quick breakdown on some of the common terms: 

• Arc welding — A process that joins metal to metal by using electricity to create enough heat to melt the metals, which then join as they cool. 
• TIG welding — Also known as gas tungsten arc welding or GTAW. An arc welding process that uses tungsten electrode to produce the weld. It offers greater control, but can be more complex and difficult to master. 
• MIG welding — Also known as gas metal arc welding or GMAW. MIG stands for metal inert gas. An arc welding process that creates an electric arc between a MIG wire electrode and the metal. 
• SMAW welding — Also known as stick welding for shielded metal arc welding. An arc welding process that uses a consumable electrode covered with a flux to lay the weld. One of the world’s first and most popular welding processes. 

California itself does not have a state-issued license to work as a welder so long as your employer holds a C-60 Welding Contractor license:  

A welding contractor causes metals to become permanently attached, joined and fabricated by the use of gases and electrical energy, which creates temperatures of sufficient heat to perform this work. 

That being said, a lot of employers prefer to hire candidates who have earned professional certifications, like those offered through the American Welding Society. The AWS offers certification in areas like: 

• Certified Welder 
• Certified Robotic Arc Welding 
• Certified Welding Engineer 
• Certified Resistance Welding Technician 

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration also requires that welders complete training on electrical safety. 

Postsecondary school can be a significant investment of both time and money. It’s one of the reasons why Summit College El Cajon designs our programs to take you from enrollment to graduation in less time than you think. For our Welding program, this means you can be on your way to a new career in just 36 weeks.  

With traditional California colleges costing upwards of $40,000 per year, a lot of people feel like postsecondary training isn’t something accessible to them. By offering focused career training programs that take only 9 months to complete, Summit College El Cajon can prepare students for a new, in-demand career for less than half the cost of one year in a traditional degree program. We also have a number of different financial aid options to help support you in paying for your education.