ArcLabs Welding Education, Equipping, and Training in South Carolina
ArcLabs Welding Education, Equipping, and Training in South Carolina

welder training. testing. certification. placement.

Facts & Figures

OUTLOOK: Employment of welding, soldering, and brazing workers is expected to grow about 5 percent over the 2006-16 decade.

~ US Bureau of Labor Statistics

EMPLOYMENT: Welding has grown significantly over the long term because of advances that have allowed it to replace other joining technologies in many applications. Thus, demand for welders is increasing in the construction, manufacturing, and utilities industries.

~ US Bureau of Labor Statistics

OUTLOOK: The outlook for welders in manufacturing is far stronger than for other occupations.

~ US Bureau of Labor Statistics

EMPLOYMENT: Two of every three welding jobs were found in manufacturing. Jobs were concentrated in fabricated metal product manufacturing, transportation equipment manufacturing, machinery manufacturing, architectural and structural metals manufacturing, and construction.

~ US Bureau of Labor Statistics

SECURITY: In custom applications, much of the work is difficult or impossible to automate. This includes manufacturing small batches of items, construction work, and making repairs in factories.

~ US Bureau of Labor Statistics

OUTLOOK: Retirements and job growth in the oil and gas and other industries are expected to create excellent opportunities for welders.

~ US Bureau of Labor Statistics

SECURITY: Automation is less of a threat to welders and welding machine operators than to other manufacturing occupations. Welding machines must still be operated by someone who is knowledgeable about welding and can inspect the weld and make adjustments.

~ US Bureau of Labor Statistics

ADVANCEMENT: Welders can advance to more skilled welding jobs with additional training and experience. For example, they may become welding technicians, supervisors, inspectors, or instructors. Some experienced welders open their own repair shops.

~ US Bureau of Labor Statistics

OUTLOOK: Welding schools report that graduates have little difficulty finding work, and some welding employers report difficulty finding trained welders.

~ US Bureau of Labor Statistics

FINANCIAL GOALS: The range of earnings of welders reflects the wide range of skill levels. Income in welding directly relates to your level of skill and training. In 2006, welders earned on average between $17.75 and $25.44 per hour.

~ US Bureau of Labor Statistics

EMPLOYMENT: Welders have excellent job opportunities as some welding employers report difficulty finding trained welders.

~ US Bureau of Labor Statistics

SECURITY: Welding skills are the same across industries, so welders can easily shift from one industry to another depending on where they are needed most. For example, welders laid off in the auto industry have been able to find work in the booming oil and gas industry.

~ US Bureau of Labor Statistics

Classes Offered

Most Popular Courses:

  • 10 Week (400 Hour) Welding Course: As our most popular course, this course is designed for the beginner welder to the welder with some experience. Upon completion of this course the student should be able to start work as an entry level welder in the construction or industrial field.
  • 23 Week (900 Hour) Welding Course: This extensive training is designed for the beginner welder to the welder with some experience. Upon completion of this course the student should be able to start work as an entry level welder in the construction or industrial field.

Additional Courses:

  • 1 Day (10 Hour) Saturday Visual Weld Inspection Course
  • 1 Week (40 Hour) Welding Practice for Experienced Welders
  • 4 Week (64 Hour) Night Continuing Education Course
    These classes are designed for the novice students who want to learn welding basics for personal reasons or the experienced welder who is just looking for a place to get some hands-on practice time before going to a job.
  • 2 Week (80 Hour) CWI Preparatory Class for Experienced Welders: This class is designed to prepare the student for the CWI exam given by the American Welding Society.
  • 3 Week (120 Hour) Pipe Welding Course: This course is designed for the experienced welder who is looking to improve his/her welding skills for pipe welding. Upon completion of this course the student should be able to pass a typical pipe welding qualification test for work in the construction or industrial field.
  • 7 Week (280 Hour) Welding Course: This course is designed for the beginner welder or the welder with some experience. Upon completion of this course the student should be able to start work as an entry level welder in the construction or industrial field.

Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Classes:

  • OSHA 10 Hour Course (Construction or General Industry): This training is intended to provide entry level workers information about their rights, employer responsibility, how to file a complaint, as well as how to identify, abate, avoid, and prevent hazards at their job site.
  • OSHA 30 Hour Course (Construction or General Industry): This training is intended to provide a variety of safety training to workers who have some safety responsibility. The training will emphasize hazard identification, avoidance, control, and prevention. The class covers the required topics of the OSHA program.