Welding
Make Long-Lasting Connections as a Skilled Welder in San Bernardino
Inland Empire Welding Training
Take Control of Your Future with Training in Welding
When you weld two pieces of metal, you create a permanent bond. That weld could be the beginning of a skyscraper or components in the latest computer. As a welder, you create every day, and these creations fuel so many of our industries. This is why the Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts thousands of jobs will be added to this profession over the next decade, making now a great time to step into this field.
What Does a Welder Do?
As a welder, your daily tasks may include:
- Joining and cutting metal parts, as well as filling in holes, indentations and seams
- Reading and interpreting blueprints, sketches, and specifications
- Inspecting structures or materials and calculating and measuring the dimensions of parts to be welded
- Welding materials according to blueprint specifications
- Maintaining welding equipment and machinery
Yes, I’m Interested. Tell Me More.
Contact us today for more information, and one of our admissions representatives will provide you with more valuable information, such as:
- Admissions Requirements
- Enrollment Support
- Tuition & Financial Aid
- Curriculum Details
- Program Features
- Placement Services
What Will I Learn in a Welding Program?
The 36-week Welding program at Summit College San Bernardino was designed to provide the student with the skills and knowledge necessary to successfully perform the functions of an entry-level welder in various processes and shops. Welding graduates at Summit will have learned the skill sets employers want in their entry-level workers.
What will course instruction look like?
We utilize a combination of lecture and lab hours to ensure you understand both the theory and the practical applications behind welding techniques. Hands-on experience is truly prioritized, with five times more hours dedicated to working in our labs versus in the classroom, and classes are small, so students get valuable one-on-one attention and training.
Is Career Training Right for You?
Take the Summit College Career Training Readiness Quiz
The fun, online quiz takes 3 minutes to complete, and you’ll get a personalized report. Identify your strengths and social style, plus the training and positions you’re best suited for.
What welding classes will I take?
Summit College San Bernardino’s Welding program prepares you to work in various shops with courses that include:
- Gas Metal Arc Welding Basic
- Oxyacetylene, Welding and Cutting
- Shielded Metal Arc Welding
- Flux Cored Arc Welding/Symbols for Welding
- Gas Tungsten Arc Welding/Blueprint Reading
- SMAW Structural
What Is the Job Outlook for Welders in California?
While the national projected employment growth for welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers is only 2% through 2034, just slightly below the average for all occupations, that is not the case in the state of California. Welders, here, are expected to see a much higher rise in employment opportunities, at 7% through 2032 according to the U.S. Department of Labor. Statewide, this means around 3,150 job openings on average every year.
Where can welders work?
There are a number of different opportunities all around the Inland Empire area at places like:
- Construction companies
- Oil rigs
- Shipyards
- Oil and gas companies
- Aerospace
- Motorsports
- Military services
- Manufacturing facilities
What jobs can I get in San Bernardino with training as a welder?
Here are some of the potential job titles and opportunities:
- Ironworker
- Welder Fabricator
- Underwater Welder
- Pipefitter
- Boilermaker
- Welding Technician
- Robotic Welder
- Pipeliner
San Bernardino Campus
With modern classrooms equipped with audiovisual technology, labs outfitted with updated equipment and instruments, computer labs, and a student lounge, the San Bernardino campus of Summit College is set up to provide a quality education in both our allied health and skilled trades programs. Parking is provided to students at no charge.
Address and Location
Address
804 East Brier Drive
San Bernardino, CA 92408
Located near I-10 and a short walk from the Tippecanoe Metrolink Station, conveniently situated near Colton, Loma Linda, Riverside, and more
Phone Number and Hours
General Business Hours: 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Monday – Friday
Phone Number: 888.504.2552
Why Choose Summit College in San Bernardino?
Since 1991, Summit College has helped students prepare for new career opportunities through focused, hands-on training. At our San Bernardino campus, students can pursue career education in allied health and skilled trades while learning from instructors with real-world experience. From enrollment through graduation and beyond, our team is committed to helping you work toward your educational and career goals.
- Hands-on career training: Develop practical skills through a combination of classroom instruction and hands-on learning designed to prepare you for real-world work environments.
- Experienced, supportive instructors: Learn from knowledgeable faculty members who bring professional experience into the classroom and are invested in helping students succeed.
- Career-focused programs: Build relevant knowledge and skills through focused training designed for the career field you want to pursue.
- Campus resources and support: Learn in modern classrooms and specialized training labs, with access to computer labs, a student lounge, and free student parking.
- Convenient Inland Empire location: The campus is located near I-10 and within walking distance of the Tippecanoe Metrolink Station, making it accessible from Colton, Loma Linda, Riverside, and surrounding communities.
- Support beyond the classroom: Summit College provides student and career services to help you navigate your education and prepare for the next step in your professional journey.
Ready for What’s Next?
Your Path to Success Starts Now!
Frequently Asked Questions
How Do I Become a Welder in California?
While there are a few different paths to take to become a welder,
Summit College San Bernardino’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
While you can potentially choose not to go to school and start on an apprenticeship, many employers will be looking for job candidates who have structured through a trade school that can help them learn foundational skills like how to read blueprints, mechanical drawing, and shop mathematics.
What Is TIG Welding? MIG Welding? Stick Welding?
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.
What Kinds of Certifications or Licenses Do I Need to Be a Welder?
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.
How Long Does It Take to Become a Welder?
At a career training school like Summit College San Bernardino, we understand that many of our students cannot afford to spend a year or longer; they need to be able to get from enrollment to graduation as quickly as possible. Our Welding program was designed to train you in the skills you need for your new career in just 36 weeks.
How Much Does Welding Training Cost?
This can depend a lot on what kind of postsecondary education you choose. Traditional colleges and universities can cost tens of thousands of dollars per year. On the other hand, focused career training programs at trade schools like Summit College San Bernardino can cost a fraction of that, making the most out of both your time and your budge. We also have a number of different financial aid options to help support you in paying for your education.
