Welding is a challenging, rewarding career path requiring specialized skills and knowledge. If you’re interested in pursuing a career in welding, finding the right school is crucial to your success. The state of New York is home to a variety of welding schools, each with its unique strengths and offerings.
In this article, we’ll explore the best welding schools in New York and help you decide where to pursue your welding education. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced welder looking to advance your skills, there’s a program out there that’s right for you.
What is the Salary of a Welder in New York
According to data from Indeed, the average hourly salary for a welder in New York State is $22.14 as of June 6, 2023. However, the average hourly salary for a welder in New York City is higher, at $34.51, as of May 27, 2023. Salary ranges can vary widely depending on education, experience, and location.
Other sources report slightly different average salaries for welders in New York. Salary.com reports that the average pay for a Welder in New York is $48,528 annually as of May 01, 2023. Zippia reports that the average welder in New York earns $45,902 per year or $22.07 per hour.
Steps to Find the Top Certification and School for Welding in New York
You want to enroll in the top welding school near you but don’t know how to determine if the school you selected is the best and will meet your requirement. The choice of a welding trade school is very important whether you are looking to improve your skills as a welder or whether you want to start your welding career.
Below are steps to find the right welding school that matches your requirement.
1. Determine your career goals
Before you search for a welding school, it’s important to determine your career goals and the type of welding you want to specialize in. There are many different types of welding, including MIG, TIG, Stick, and Flux-Cored Arc Welding, among others. Knowing which type of welding you want to specialize in can help you narrow your search to schools that offer the specific type of training you need.
2. Research welding schools in your Area
Once you have determined your career goals and the welding you want to specialize in, you can start researching schools in your area or region that offer welding programs. You can use online directories like the American Welding Society’s Welding School Locator or search engines like Google to find welding schools near you.
3. Review the curriculum
After you have identified potential welding schools, it’s important to review the curriculum of each school to make sure it covers the welding processes and techniques you want to learn. You should also consider the quality of the equipment and facilities available, as well as the experience and qualifications of the instructors.
4. Check the school’s accreditation
Accreditation is an important consideration when choosing a welding school. Accreditation ensures that the school meets industry standards and that employers will recognize your certification. The American Welding Society (AWS) is one organization that accredits welding schools.
5. Consider the cost and financial aid options
Welding programs can be expensive, so it’s important to consider the cost and financial aid options available for each school. You should research the cost of tuition and fees, as well as any financial aid options that may be available, such as scholarships, grants, or loans.
6. Visit the welding schools you’re interested in
It’s a good idea to visit the schools you’re interested in and speak with instructors and current students to understand the program better. This can help you determine if the school is a good fit for you and if it provides the training and resources you need to succeed in your career.
When you physically visit the school, you are in a better position to make more inquiries and see the rooms where you will be holding your classes. This helps you know whether the environment is conducive for you.
7. Welding courses offered
Ensure that you check for the right classes that the school is offering. The first step you want to take is to ensure that the welding school you have selected provides different types of welding. This allows you to select any welding that you are interested in.
In addition, ensure that the welding courses being offered include the following:
- Oxy-fuel welding.
- Gas metal arc welding – MIG Welding.
- Gas tungsten arc welding – TIG Welding.
- Flux-cored arc welding – FCAW.
- Shielded metal arc welding – Stick Welding.
All those above are major welding processes that you will likely use on any welding job.
8. Duration of the programs
Welding schools have different program lengths, making this a major factor to consider when looking for a suitable welding school that will meet your requirement. Most welding programs take a year for a student to complete the course. It can take shorter than this, roughly six to seven months, depending on the student’s schedule and the duration the student takes his classes.
However, you must learn the class rules and how things will be if you don’t attend a class because of work or an emergency. Will there be a make-up class, or will you risk the chance of getting your certification?
9. Find companies that employ welders in your Area
Visit these companies and ask a few people around the welding school they have graduated from. This will help you narrow down some of the best welding schools you should consider enrolling in.
Most of the time, companies like recruiting welding students through school campuses. What percentage of students have job placement after completing the program? This should guide you to the best welding school to give you the best opportunity to succeed.
10. Number of booths and welding equipment available
You must know the number of booths in your welding school of choice. You need to ensure that the welding school you are interested in has enough equipment to suit the needs of all the students. If the number of booths is few compared to the students enrolled in the program, you need to rethink enrolling. You can ask about this during your tour or speak directly to a representative.
11. What is the student-to-teacher ratio?
Asking about the student-to-teacher ratio can help you understand how much individual attention you will receive during your training. A lower ratio typically means more one-on-one time with instructors.
12. Qualifications of the instructors
Knowing the qualifications of the instructors can help you determine if they have the necessary experience and expertise to teach you the skills you need to succeed in the industry.
13. Types of welding certifications
Welding certifications are important credentials that demonstrate your expertise in a particular welding process or technique. Different schools may offer different certifications, so it’s important to know what certifications are available and which are relevant to your career goals.
14. Additional services offered by the school
Some welding schools may offer additional services such as job placement assistance, resume writing workshops, or networking events. These services can be valuable resources as you begin your job search after graduation. Knowing what additional services are available can help you choose a school that offers the support you need to succeed in your career.
Do you have to be a certified welder to get welding jobs in NY?
In New York State, the requirements for becoming a licensed welder vary depending on the welding project. According to the New York State Department of Labor, some types of welding work require certification, while others do not. For example, field welders working on NYSDOT projects must obtain a Field Welder Certification from the New York State Department of Transportation.
In addition, some cities in New York State, require welders to obtain a license to perform structural welding work. To obtain a New York City Welder license, individuals must meet certain qualifications, such as being at least 18 years old and able to read and write the English language.
Top Welding Schools in New York
NYC is known to be a busy city that never sleeps. Have you ever imagined working in a city that never sleeps? Pursuing your welding career in New York is one of the best decisions you can ever make.
Below are some of the top welding schools in New York that you can enroll in and start your career as a professional and certified welder.
Apex Technical School
Apex Technical School is an adult vocational school in Long Island City accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges. This school offers a Welding and Fabrication Technology program. The program is designed to provide students with hands-on training in welding and fabrication techniques using industry-standard equipment.
The program is 900 hours long and can be completed in approximately 35 weeks. Students learn various welding techniques, including MIG, TIG, Stick, and Flux-Cored Arc Welding. The program also covers blueprint reading, welding safety, and welding theory.
The school also offers evening programs that make it easy for those working during the day to attend their evening welding classes. The training programs in this welding school last for only seven months. Financial aid is available for students who qualify.
Bergen Community College
The Middle State Association of Colleges and Schools accredits this welding school. In addition to that, the college also has three locations; the main campus in Paramus, a learning center in Hackensack, and a community college in Lyndhurst.
This community college offers different academic programs and courses. The welding technology course will provide you with a basic understanding of the welding process, and as you advance, you will learn about the complex nature of this course.
At the end of the course, you will be able to handle the welding environment perfectly and become a certified welder. There are different opportunities to explore this field further.
Capital Region BOCES Welding Program
The Capital Region BOCES Welding Program is offered at the Albany campus of the Capital Region BOCES Career and Technical School.
This welding school is accredited with pipe welding, blueprint reading, and welder certifications. The school offers a welding and metal fabrication program that runs for two years and is aligned with the American Welding Society standards.
New York City College of Technology
New York City College of Technology (City Tech) is a public college located in Brooklyn, NY. This college of Technology offers a range of degree and certificate programs, including welding. The welding programs at City Tech are designed to provide students with the skills and knowledge needed to pursue a successful career in welding.
The welding program at City Tech provides students with a comprehensive education in welding techniques, safety procedures, and welding theory. The program includes hands-on training in welding techniques such as MIG, TIG, Stick, and Flux-Cored welding, as well as metal cutting and fabrication techniques.
City Tech’s welding programs are taught by experienced instructors who are knowledgeable in welding techniques and safety procedures. The instructors provide students with personalized instruction and guidance. This ensures that they understand the material and can apply it in real-world settings.
Long Island Welding School
Long Island Welding School offers a Basic Welding Course, an Intermediate Welding Course, and an Advanced Welding Course. The Basic Welding Course is designed for beginners with no experience. Graduates have the option to continue to the Intermediate and Advanced Welding courses.
The school has also been commended for its focus on safety and quality and its knowledgeable and supportive instructors.
In addition to its certification programs, this School also serves as an NYS DOT-approved facility. It caters to welders looking to further their welding career, regardless of their experience level. The school also provides job postings from Long Island construction and manufacturing companies through its Employment Center counselors.
Lincoln Technical Institute
Lincoln Technical Institute has several New York locations, including Queens, Brooklyn, and Westbury. The school offers a Welding Technology program, which is 720 hours long and can be completed in approximately 40 weeks.
Students learn various welding techniques, including MIG, TIG, Stick, and Flux-Cored Arc Welding. The program also covers welding safety, welding theory, and blueprint reading. Financial aid is available for those who qualify.
Erie 1 BOCES
Erie 1 BOCES is in Buffalo, New York, and offers a Welding Technology program. This program is designed to provide students hands-on training in welding techniques using industry-standard equipment.
The program also covers welding safety, welding theory, and blueprint reading. Financial aid is available for those who qualify.
Conclusion
New York offers a variety of welding schools that provide students with quality training and certification programs. These schools offer a range of programs that cater to different levels of experience. And also provide students with the skills and knowledge needed to pursue a successful career in welding.
Each of these New York Welding schools has received positive reviews from former students. These schools are excellent choices for those looking to pursue a career in welding in New York State.
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