Discover the top 15 best welding schools in Florida in 2023. Explore our comprehensive ranking of the finest institutions offering welding education and training. Find the perfect school to enhance your skills and embark on a successful welding career at the best welding schools in Florida.
Welding is a centuries-old craft that is still necessary in today’s world. It is also a highly adaptable skill with numerous applications. As a certified welder, you create, design, repair, and build anything made of metal.
You could work in construction or the automobile industry or build ships, aircraft, or space shuttles. Some welders are also artists. You could work for a company, hire yourself out as an independent contractor, or even open your metalworking shop. There are so many options!
Aside from technical skills and strength, you’ll need good troubleshooting and analytical skills as a welder.
Welding schools in Florida are important in advancing welding technology and education. Welding schools, colleges, universities, careers, and technology centers are among them.
Every year, millions of native and international students enroll in these schools. They offer career-oriented welding programs in a variety of specialties. Graduates of these schools have numerous career options in various industries, including self-employment in their welding shops.
To use welding tools safely, you must first receive the proper training. In addition to completing a training program, welders in Florida must have a high school diploma or an equivalent certification.
This article covers everything you need to know about welder training and the best welding schools in Florida.
See Also: 15 Best Welding Schools In Texas
Table of Contents
Is Welding a Good Career Path in Florida?
Welding is widely used in Florida. Bridge construction and repair are required due to the numerous waterways, and welding is a significant component of this task. According to studies, the state’s population will increase by more than 230,000 people per county over the next decade, increasing the need for new construction. Welding is essential for new building construction.
Welders have numerous career options in Florida. Join a construction crew and pursue a career in structural welding. Learn how to weld pipes and help keep the power on. As a marine welder, you can work on boats and trailers or attractions at theme parks.
Welding is a career that is both stable and full of opportunities: welding skills are in high demand throughout the United States. Furthermore, fewer people are becoming craft professionals, so there has never been a better time to enter the industry and demand high wages.
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Are there Welding Schools in Florida
- George Stone Technical College
- Southern Technical College
- Treasure Coast Technical College
- Fusion Welding Institute
- Ridge Technical College
- Southeastern Welding School
- Florida Technical College
- Florida Gateway College
- Indian River State College
- Lake Technical College
- Broward College
- Atlantic Technical College
- Big Bend Technical College
- College of Central Florida – Levy Campus
- Daytona State College
- Erwin Technical College
- First Coast Technical College
- Hillsborough Community College
- Lively Technical Center
- Locklin Technical Center
- Manatee Technical College
- Marchman Technical College
- Marion Technical College
- McFatter Technical College
- Orange Technical College
- Northwest Florida State College
- Palm Beach State College
- Eastern Florida State College
- Florida State College Jacksonville
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How to Become a Certified Welder in Florida?
The first step toward becoming a welder in Florida is to obtain certification from the American Welding Society (AWS). This requires training at an AWS-accredited welding school. You will learn in school through both classroom instruction and hands-on experience.
After completing a welding program, it is time to take your welding certification exam. Although the locations vary, they are frequently close to the school. During the exam, a panel of examiners will ask you to demonstrate proficiency in standard skills.
Also, check: 15 Best Welding Schools In San Diego
How to Renew Your Welding Certification in Florida
You must maintain your welding certification regardless of where your business is developing. Individual renewals are usually required annually or biennially, depending on the state. You may need to submit a renewal application, pay a renewal fee, or pursue continuing education.
Complying with renewal requirements ensures that your business can continue to operate normally. The holder must renew these certifications every six months to a year.
How Much Do Welders Make in Florida?
Welders in Florida earn an average annual salary of $37,060. In other words, $17.82 per hour. This is slightly less than the median yearly wage of $39,390 ($18.94 per hour). In the United States, welders in the top 10% of median pay earn more than $62,100 per year. Welders in the top 10% of Florida make more than $52,330.
Welders earn significantly more in many Florida counties. Some companies pay more than $50 per hour for experienced welders. Their experience level influences the average pay rate of welders in Florida.
How Long is Welding School in Florida?
No matter which welding school in Florida you attend, you should expect to spend one to one and a half years there before graduating.
Courses typically include classroom and hands-on training to ensure that you learn as much as possible during this time. In this school, you will cover everything from welding techniques to health and safety.
Best Welding Schools in Florida
#1. George Stone Technical College
George Stone Tech offers a diverse range of programs. Along with welding, its welding program teaches students technical and product skills, underlying technological principles, labor issues, safety, and other topics.
The program is 1,050 hours long, making it a 10-month program if taken full-time. During this intensive program, students learn about workplace safety and organization, basic manufacturing processes, metal identification, and much more.
Once completed, students will be ready to take the American Welding Society’s Certified Welder test.
#2. Southern Technical College
Southern Technical College has welding programs at three different campuses: Auburndale, Orlando, and Sanford. This program grants an Associate of Applied Science degree in Welding Technology.
Students learn about welding processes as well as advanced pipe welding techniques. The course can be completed in 18 months and includes hands-on instruction from experienced professionals.
Southern Tech also offers day and evening classes to serve its students better. Graduates are prepared to work anywhere a welder is needed.
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#3. Fusion Welding Institute
Students are trained at Fusion Welding Institute through hands-on experience, repetition, and real-world simulators. While at Fusion, you can expect to weld every day.
Their program is 450 hours long and has highly flexible scheduling. Students complete the course at their own pace, and the facility is open 80 hours a week to ensure that students have the necessary access.
On the first day, students work on muscle memory and body positioning by welding a pipe. Instructors promote students as they improve their welding skills, allowing advanced welders to accelerate their learning while inexperienced welders work at their own pace. According to Fusion, this is the most effective training protocol for preparing students for weld testing as quickly as possible.
#4. Ridge Technical College
Ridge Technical College teaches students metal layout and fabrication techniques using specialized hand tools and machines. Students will gain valuable leadership, communication, human relations, and employability skills.
Students who complete the 1,050-hour program are eligible to take the American Welding Society certification exam. You will learn how to weld and cut metal using the oxyacetylene and electric arc methods.
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#5. Treasure Coast Technical College
Treasure Coast Technical College has a welding program that lasts ten months. This includes thoroughly examining the American Welding Society’s welding symbols, blueprint reading, torch and plasma cutting, and other topics.
Welding positions on plate and pipe, as well as ferrous and nonferrous metals, will be taught to students. Graduates can take the Certified Welder test administered by the American Welding Society.
#6. Florida Technical College
Through the Welding Diploma Program, students will gain technical skills and practical experience in metal cutting. They will also interpret manufacturing and construction drawings and field measurements. Students will also use what they’ve learned about SMAW (Shielded Metal Arc Welding), GMAW (Gas Metal Arc Welding), FCAW (Flux Core Arc Welding), and GTAW (Gas Tungsten Arc Welding) processes, as well as pipe welding techniques related to these four welding processes, to put what they’ve learned to good use.
In this welding course, students will learn the fundamentals of construction job site safety. They will also investigate the safety standards and regulations covered in National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER) certification assessments and performance tasks and those enforced by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). In addition, students will examine standard construction equipment and tools. They will also assess the value of communication and employability skills. Students will also practice construction math and drawing skills.
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#7. Indian River State College
IRSC provides a low-cost route to becoming a knowledgeable welder. Welding is the most cost-effective and time-efficient method of permanently joining metals. Students at IRSC Welding Technology School learn the foremost standard welding techniques—GMAW and GTAW—while studying the basic layout and material usage, industry quality standards, safety requirements, and blueprint drawing interpretation.
After completing the program, you’ll be able to find lucrative employment as a welder in a wide range of industries, from auto racing to manufacturing. Similar but distinct job opportunities include becoming a cutter, solderer, or brazer, all of which use heat to make and shape solutions for various applications.
Students can obtain AWS certifications for a spread of alloys, structural, and pipe. Exams are administered after the program.
#8. Florida Gateway College
Students during this 1,800-hour program can earn two program certificates. The primary 1,050 hours are dedicated to the Welding Technologies course, during which students will learn SMAW (stick), GMAW (MIG), GMAW-P (pulsed MIG), FCAW (flux core), GTAW (tig), and GTAW-P (pulsed tig) on plate thicknesses starting from razor blade (.040) to at least one inch.
Students who have completed the Welding Technology course can continue their education with our 750-hour Advanced Welding Technologies course. On 40 and 80-inch pipes, the advanced course covers all of the welding processes covered within the welding technologies course.
In addition, FGC is among only eleven LEEPS schools in the country (Lincoln Electric Education Partner School). All the students receive training on the original, up-to-date welding equipment available in the lab, including the essential Weld Trainer. We’ve virtual reality welders in the classroom, also as a Robotic Educational Cell where students can learn about robotic programming and operations.
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#9. Northwest Florida State College
The Welding Technology program focuses on welding in structural construction. Training includes oxy/fuel cutting, plasma cutting, and welding on steel plate and chrome steel plate with TIG (GTAW), Stick (SMAW), MIG (GMAW), and Flux Core. This training prepares the scholar to meet the demands of a structural welder career and develop the required skills.
Graduates of this program will be prepared to take certification exams in specific welding codes, like AWS D1.1 – Structural principle. The welding technology program also prepares students to earn nationally recognized credentials after completing the program’s National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER) curriculum. The American Welding Society also will provide the student with the opportunity to obtain industry-recognized welding certifications.
The Welding Technology program accepts students within the fall and spring terms for day or night classes. To be eligible for admission, students must pass a drug audition.
#10. Eastern Florida State College
The Welding Technology program at EFSC provides the theoretical and practical experience needed to develop a basic foundation in welding skills. It’s intended to prepare students to become certified welders in pipe and structural steel and ferrous and nonferrous base materials.
A separate application process is required for the Welding program. The Appliance Process web page contains program information such as the application deadline, costs, course requirements, and equipment.
The program is taught on the Cocoa campus. It’s set up as full-time, day classes from Monday to Thursday. The clock-hour curriculum courses are offered in two 20-week terms beginning within the Fall Term (August) and leading to the Welding Career and Technical Certificate (CTC). The program is often finished in less than a year.
The American Welding Society (AWS), ASME, API, and ANSI-approved welding codes are used for instruction and standards. Processes for quality and safety are included.
Graduates will be prepared for entry-level welder jobs and eligible to take the AWS certification exam. Explore the Career Field website for more information about career opportunities.
#11. Florida State College Jacksonville
Students who complete the Welding Technology Career Certificate (CC) program are prepared for careers in various fields, including shipbuilding, paper mills, power plants, aerospace, automobile manufacturing, and construction. Expert hands-on training provides the talents needed for a successful career at a fraction of the cost of for-profit tech schools.
Welding professionals provide one-on-one instruction in all welding processes, including SMAW (stick) plate and pipe, GMAW (MIG) steel and aluminum, FCAW (flux cored), and GTAW (tig) plate and pipe on steel, stainless steel, and aluminum. As well as laboratory and hands-on training, academics are provided to meet industry standards and prepare for practical certificate examinations. Students who complete the program successfully will be qualified for a position as an entry-level welding technician.
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#12. Big Bend Technical College
The training covers, but isn’t limited to, the utilization of blueprints and shop drawings and the utilization of gases and welding processes following diagrams, blueprints, or written specifications. Shop or laboratory activities are crucial to this program because they teach various welding and fabrication processes and techniques.
Oxy Acetylene welding, brazing, and cutting (OAW), Arc Welding (SMAW), MIG Welding (GMAW), Flux Cored Welding (FCAW), TIG welding (GTAW), a basic understanding of pipe welding, and certification test preparation following current industry standards, practices, and techniques also are included in laboratory activities.
This program includes instruction in communication, leadership, human relations, and safe and efficient work practices.
#13. College of Central Florida – Levy Campus
Two Career and Technical Certificates are available through CF’s Welding Technology program. There are full-time and part-time options for the program. Monday through Thursday, classes are held during the day and in the dark.
Welders and flame cutters, tack welders, welder assemblers, arc cutters, arc welders, combination welders, and assembly line welders are among the jobs available to welding students. Individuals who have previously or are currently employed in these occupations can enjoy this program’s supplemental training.
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#14. Daytona State College
The Welding Technology program is worth 24.17 vocational credits. The curriculum is intended to provide students with classroom and lab activities. As students learn about welding safety and become proficient in Stick, MIG, TIG, and Oxy-acetylene welding, a “hands-on” approach to student learning is evident. Students will also learn blueprint reading, which is required for work as a welder or welder helper.
The program prepares students for employment in machining positions by providing a broad foundation of knowledge and skills. The training includes lathe and mill operations, measuring tool care and use, CNC programming and operations, CAD/CAM programming, electrical discharge machine (EDM) operation, multi-axis machining, and manufacturing skills in accordance with industry standards.
#15. Hillsborough Community College
In preparation for AWS certification and a career in the welding field, the welding technology postsecondary adult vocational (PSAV) program provides a solid foundation and advanced knowledge of a wide range of welding applications. The training covers the welder helper, shielded metal arc, gas metal arc, flux cored arc, gas tungsten arc, and pipe welder. This three-semester program includes an internship.
This curriculum is taken from the current college catalog and is intended to give prospective students an idea of the courses required for this degree/certificate.
Read Also: 15 Best Welding Schools in Arkansas
How Much Do Welding Schools Cost in Florida?
The average tuition for a Welding Technology/Welder career program at a Florida trade school/technical college is $6,289, with an additional $865 for books and supplies. All trade schools offer the program’s average tuition is $9,261.
The Welding Technology/Welder program has an average program length of 970 contact hours (credit hours), and students have completed the program in 11.1 months on average.
Welding Schools in Florida FAQs
What is the cost of a welding school in Florida?
The average tuition for a Welding Technology/Welder career program at a Florida trade school/technical college is $6,289, with an additional $865 for books and supplies. All trade schools offer the program’s average tuition is $9,261.
How long does it take to learn to weld?
Depending on the program, welding training can take fa to one and a half years of hands-on experience.
Is it worthwhile to get a welding certificate?
Yes, welding school can be worthwhile because employers increasingly require postsecondary welding education (BLS), according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Conclusion
Welding is a promising career option in Florida, but proper training is required. You can prepare to enter the industry and start building your reputation if you know which welding schools in Florida offer programs that meet your needs and can provide the necessary welding certifications.
References
- tradesforcareers. com
- welding-technology-welder-Welding Technology
- generalcontractorlicenseguide.com
- weldingtroop.com
