Many people around the world wish to work in Texas as a welder because this state is known for its consistent hiring of welders.
Hence, they produce highly competitive welders and high-quality weld products. You might be wondering why other countries look up to Texas when talking about great welders.
In order to become a welder in Texas, you need to go through stages starting from acquiring at least a high school diploma or GED certificate, enrolling in a training school, and passing the certification test of the American Welders Society (AWS).
If working as a welder in Texas interests you, continue reading this article as we dive into details about the process.
How to Become a Welder in Texas: Effective Guide
Becoming a welder in Texas is not as easy as you think it is. Although there is no degree required to be qualified for welding, you need to really work hard to obtain a certification before you can work as a welder for real.
You can’t work as a welder in Texas unless you get certified by the American Welders Society. You can get the certification by enrolling in a good program at a local school so you will have enough knowledge about welding. Moreover, you must complete the application which includes physical strength requirements and an actual welding test.
How Long Does it Take to Become a Welder in Texas?
Don’t worry, it won’t take so long. Texas has schools offering appropriate welding classes and training you can finish in less time. Specific programs and courses you need to take usually range from six months to two years. Welding knowledge and skills you will gain will greatly help you to pass the AWS’ certification test.
American Welders Society (AWS)
The American Welders Society, also known as AWS, is a nonprofit organization that aims to create and maintain high standards for the welding industry in America. They gather and mold welders and aspiring welders to become not just good but great welders of America. Furthermore, AWS is famous because it is where many people take their welding tests to become certified welders.
Below are some of the AWS certification programs to give you an idea of what kind of certificates you can get.
1. Certified Welder (CW)
2. Certified Welding Inspector (CWI)
3. Senior Welding Inspector (SCWI)
4. Certified Welding Educator (CWE)
5. Certified Welding Supervisor (CWS)
Among all these certification programs, the Certified Welder (CW) can be achieved through performance. So, there’s no need to take classes or courses to pass the certification. You just need to show your welding skills.
What Schools Can an Aspiring Welder Enrol?
It’s essential to choose the best welding school where you can enroll so your money, time, and effort won’t go to waste. You must assure that after finishing the course in that certain school, you are confident that you can get the certification with the knowledge about welding techniques and standards you’ve acquired.
Here are some recommendations for you to better decide on which you think is the best welding school in Texas.
1. Griffin’s Industrial Welding School LLC
2. Texas State Technical College (TSTC)
3. Lonestar College
4. Arclabs Welding School
5. Lincoln Tech
6. San Jacinto College
7. Mainliners Welding Academy
8. Alamo Colleges District St. Philip’s College
9. South Coast Welding Academy
Accredited Testing Facilities (ATF)
To get a welding certification from the American Welders Society, you are required to be tested at an Accredited Testing Facility (ATF). If you are not enrolled in an ATF school, you won’t be able to take a certification test. Hence, you need to go to another school. This is considered a third-party option. Some AWS-accredited facilities are:
1. Mcallen Careers Institute ATF
2. Welder Testing, Inc.
3. Jones Mobile Welding Inspection Services
4. Dallas County Community College District Bill J. Priest Institute
AWS Certification Examination
You won’t be able to work as a welder in Texas if you don’t pass the certification exam of AWS. You will be taking the test on a site accredited by them.
During the test, there will be a supervisor who will observe you and grade your work after. The criteria for grading your weld include compliance with proper welding procedures and the output’s quality. If you pass, you will have to wait for four to six weeks before you receive your certification card from AWS.
If you fail, you may retake the test. However, it depends on the supervisor if they will let you retake the test right away. If not, you will be given more time to train before you try again.
Why Become a Welder in Texas?
After getting certified by AWS, many welding opportunities will welcome you. It means that you can work in various industries which can give a lot of welding jobs such as being a structural welder, welder machine operator, underwater welder, welder inspector, and many more. You can even open your own maintenance shop.
Therefore, being a welder in Texas gives people a lot of opportunities to earn money. In fact, Southern Careers Institute says that when you become a welder in Texas, you can earn a minimum of $30,000 and a maximum of $50,000 in just a year.
How Long Will the Certification Last?
Welding certification in Texas can last for years. However, you need to renew it every six months by sending a certification maintenance form to the American Welders Society (AWS).
You can request an administrative extension for 60 days. If you will be allowed, you will pay a fee for being late. Unfortunately, if you miss the date, you won’t have any choice but to retake the test for you to acquire new certification.
Conclusion
As you aim to become a welder in Texas, you need to go through the right process because they don’t settle for less.
AWS wants to ensure that its welding industry is always at its best so they strive to have great welders. Surely, the training process will help you have enough knowledge and incredible welding skills.
This will then lead to acing the certification exam of AWS, and eventually, you will land on a welding job which will be your way to earn money and save for the future.