Considering more formal training: Weighing the options

Are you figuring on getting a job in welding? Or are you excited about the possibilities that will be opened up to you if you learn to weld? If so, then you may be considering the best way to learn how to weld. Many states offer technical welding training through their technical college systems by offering day and night class schedules. This is likely the best place to hone your skills. However, due to financial, family or other practical constraints this may not be practical. Mentoring is another solution that many people use to help them gain welding knowledge and skills. The basic institution of mentoring has been around a lot longer than any technical college. This type of training harkens back to medieval times, and the "master" craftsman training that used to be in place starting with apprentices, then working their way up to journeyman. This way of training is still in practice in both formal, and informal settings. Most unions have this training structure and allow the welder to start out by becoming assistants, or helpers to the welders, and eventually working their way up to a welder status. It also can be accomplished informally, by hanging around with old welders, going over to watch and work with them when they need help. In these cases, many times the welder is freely offering tips, and opinions on the way you should weld. Criticism usually freely flows, but it is a valuable opportunity to learn, should be able to find this type of relationship locally. A learning environment like this is "hands on" and growth can progress rapidly.

Of course today, you can go to a site like Youtube, or I village and find more videos than you can watch related to welding. It doesn't take very long to see that some guys are pros, and others...well they just aren't. But even among pros, you'll find different techniques and opinions batted around. These videos can be wonderful aids and tools to help you along while learning to weld, whether you are in some formal form of instruction or not. Be careful of the pitfall: many people can make it look easy, when in fact it is not. Nothing substitutes for practice. Nothing.

An ideal way of learning to weld that is often cheap and practical is to take advantage of Young Farmer or local high school continuing ed classes. These are usually offered at a minimal cost, and run only a few nights or once a week for a month or two. These allow the beginner, or hobbyist to gain critical welding time, on multiple units in multiple welding disciplines under the watchful eye of an experienced instructor. These require no long term commitments or large tuition payments. Look for announcements in local papers, and community circulars. Often times a quick phone call to your local high school can put you in touch with timetables for an upcoming class. As a last resort, if no classes are offered, consider a little arm twisting with the instructor at the local high school or the local Young Farmer teacher to offer you some one on one instruction. You can bet that most of them won't need too much coaxing to share their knowledge and experience with you.