Beginning a Career as a Welder
If you’re looking for welding certification in Baltimore, there’s a good chance you already know about the numerous advantages of welding training. If you don’t know about the benefits that welding classes can give you, then you should know that, at its core, becoming a trained and certified expert in the different welding techniques you learn in NATS’ welding school can lead to a fulfilling career path.
Before we look into the advantages of earning your welding certification at NATS, it is first important to discuss what a welding program entails, as well as what the process of welding training looks like.
What is Welding Training?
Welding training is typically learned through combination welding courses at a trade or technical school. In these classes designed for students pursuing welding certification, members learn the process of joining metal surfaces together using extreme heat.
If you attend welding school, then you’ll spend most of your time in welding classes learning processes like:
- MIG Welding – This method is usually one of the first taught during welding certification training because of its relative ease compared to other methods.
- TIG Welding– This type of professional welding uses tungsten electrodes and can be applied to more materials than most other methods.
- Arc Welding– Products made using the arc welding method are typically used in other aspects of manufacturing, making it a particularly beneficial part of your Maryland welding certification courses.
- Aluminum Welding– Aluminum welding is used to craft and mend aluminum through the use of a welding rod.
- Pipe Welding– With this method of welding, pipes are joined together. Because of this, pipe welding is usually sought by companies that require plumbing work to be completed.
Why Should You Earn Your Welding Certification?
Now that you’re familiar with the ins and outs of welding training and what it will entail, it’s important to consider the benefits that can come once you’ve earned your welding certification at NATS.
1. Welders are needed in a variety of industries
Welding is an important skilled trade because a number of diverse industries rely on the products that are created through welding, such as:
- Plumbing
- Construction
- Automotive
- Various manufacturing fields
With a welding certification, you can not only help to support these industries, but you can also choose to weld for the field you are interested in.
2. Chance for growth and job variety
Given the wide range of industries that welders can find job opportunities in, our professionals can work with various people and equipment throughout their careers. New welding graduates can begin an entry-level career in one industry and use that experience as a stepping stone to expand into another by their next welding job.
3. Widespread Career Outlook
For welders who have earned their welding certification at NATS, there are opportunities for job growth in the following top-employing industries:
- General purpose machinery manufacturing
- Agriculture, construction, and mining machinery manufacturing
- Commercial and industrial machinery equipment maintenance
- Architectural and structural metals manufacturing
- Motor vehicle body and trailer manufacturing
Receiving hands-on welding training at our trade school can help you steer your career toward something you’re passionate about.
4. More experienced welders are sought by employers
According to The American Welding Society, today’s average employed welder is 40 years old, with the majority skewing even older. As these welders get older and begin looking toward retirement, the market for new welders increases. With a need for welders being strongest in infrastructure, energy, and transportation, there is an increased opportunity for new welders to begin their careers in these sectors.
With employers seeking to hire professionals who also have an educational background in the trade, earning your welding certification at NATS may be a beneficial step.
5. Be hands-on with many types of metals
Given that NATS’ training program offers TIG, pipe, and other welding concentrations, you’ll become familiar with how to work with many types of metals. Some of these metals may include:
- Stainless steel
- Aluminum
- Copper
- Nickel
- Magnesium
If you’re interested in learning about the diverse aspects of the welding industry, you can do so with our accredited combination welding program.