[TheForge] Learning to weld

[Ries Niemi]

I have probably hired  ten or more guys and girls over the last 15 
years who were graduates of 2 year AA degree community college welding 
programs.
I find they are really good employees- after all, they have spent two 
years, and their own money, to learn metalworking. They can usually 
measure and cut accurately, weld tig, mig, stick and gas, use a cutting 
torch and plasma machine, have basic safety training, and already own 
work clothes, boots, and welding hood.
They are commited enough to working with metal to stick around for a 
while, and have already proven they like to learn.
I call the instructors and ask for the best students- I had a couple of 
"welders of the year" from LA Trade Tech years ago- the best welders 
from 30 to 50 students.
And, after a couple of years in the shop, they actually know how to do 
a few things. No, really they have all been pretty darn competent to 
begin with, much better than hiring artists, or putting ads in the 
classifieds.

Anyway, every one of them, from 1986 to Tim who is working out there 
right now and is still going to Bellingham Trade Tech til May- they all 
spent 3 or 4 months doing nothing but gas welding- its the very first 
thing they make em do, and they dont move on til they are competent at 
it. They dont even get to tig welding til the last half of the second 
year.
So if my experience in welding education is any example, based on at 
least 4 schools in 2 states, teaching gas welding is still considered 
the bedrock skill of a welder.

Most areas have a tech college or community college that offers 
welding, and if you want to learn, I highly recommend this route- its 
slow, but they really teach you, and most have night classes.

Ries Niemi
Industrial Artist

http://www.RiesNiemi.com