Do you want to know how to get into the best welding schools in Minnesota? Learn how to become a certified welder in Minnesota with the help of these welding schools listed in this article; We also have detailed information on how long welding schools take and how much these schools cost.
Understanding welding as a career, how much it will cost, and how to get certified with or without attending any of the best schools and colleges is a step in the right direction, especially if you’re considering Minnesota.
Here in this guide, we show you how to get into welding, the cost of getting certified, and the schools, colleges, and universities in Minnesota to lead you into the career.
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Table of Contents
What’s the Future of Welding in Minnesota?
Welding is a trade skill whose demand will continuously increase in the coming years.
Even with the rapid growth of digitalization and automation, welding is a skill that will always be needed in the industry, especially given its complex aspects.
And interestingly, Minnesota has many opportunities for welders, whether they are professionals or newbies in the business.
Is Welding School a Viable Option?
Suppose you are living in Minnesota or planning to relocate to the state and wish to take up welding as a career. In that case, you will have to undergo accompanying training to equip yourself with the needed abilities.
This is not limited to Minnesota but to every other state because no one would be willing to pay someone to train on the job unless it was through an apprenticeship, which takes more years than welding schools or welding programs.
You can get the training from an apprenticeship or school program, but there are factors to consider before choosing one.
However, if you’re interested in becoming a certified welder in Minnesota, you should consider taking welding courses from a welding school. Always check out or choose schools based on the type of welding you want to pursue.
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How Much Does a Welder Make in Minnesota?
Welding is a profession that allows you to work with various kinds of industries. With a skill, one can also decide to be self-employed. The average salary of a welder in Minnesota is $18.17 per hour. The amounts made are primarily based on the level of proficiency.
E.g., the average salary for an entry-level welder is $7.25 per hour (these persons with minimal welding experience would likely only have a high school diploma, GED, or welding certificate ).
On the other hand, the average salary for an intermediate-level welder is $17.90 per hour (these are persons with a decent amount of time in as much as they are not experts in the field, they have more experience than those entry-level).
Finally, there are the expert welders, with an average salary of $35.45 (these are persons with vast knowledge and much experience in the field. They are professionals.
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List of the Best Welding Schools and Colleges in Minnesota
I will provide you with some of the schools and colleges in Minnesota where you can register for welding training.
#1. Anoka-Hennepin Secondary Technical Education Program
The school is located at 1353 West Highway 10, Anoka, MN 55303, United States. Registration at the school can be online, in-person, by mail, or by phone.
Secondary Technical Education Program, or S.T.E.P., was established around 2002 to train students and other interested individuals in 21st-century skills, primarily technical skills.
S.T.E.P. is a program just above high school and below college. The school is in alliance with notable establishments, which helps amplify and accredit the program’s quality. They have several ways to reach out to their students and communities. They do this via Phone, text, or email message from the Ahlert system and is only to Anoka-Hennepin parents/guardians.
Also, they share information through school websites and social media pages like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for the general public. They include the service of the Media outlets, outlets like WCCO, KSTP, FOX 9, KARE 11, CCX Media, WCCO radio, and Star Tribune newspaper.
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#2. Central lakes college
Central Lakes College is a technical college that serves about 5,500 students annually. They provide various courses of study like welding, robotics, machine tool technology, law enforcement, and others.
The college has a strict nondiscrimination policy guiding its education and employment systems. Poor English skills are not a hindrance to gaining admission into the college because the measures taken to asses students are through placement testing and counseling.
Central Lakes College was established in 1995 by the merger of Brainerd Community College (BCC) and Brainerd Staples Technical College (BSTC). They offer liberal arts, science, and career programs. They currently provide approximately 70 programs.
Courses are being taught in person on campus. However, students with regular access to a computer, a webcam, and a reliable internet connection can opt for the virtual or hybrid option. It will be worth noting that not every course is offered in each delivery method, so endeavor to check the delivery methods for your course.
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#3. Dakota County Tech College
This college offers two-year quality and tech programs. It is located at 1300 145th St. E, Rosemount, MN 55068, United States.
If you are interested in taking your welding training at DCTC, you will proceed with the application process by paying the $20 non-refundable application fee, submitting transcripts, and other requirements. DCTC hosts an information session every Tuesday where you can learn about them. The session can be virtually or on campus.
Its journey can be traced back to 1959 when the college opened its doors to 50 students enrolled in three majors: architectural drafting, auto mechanics, and secretarial training.
It presently provides over 50 varieties of programs – from courses for credit to CEU-based seminars to career-enhancing design, technology, and business classes. Inclusion and diversity are attributes of DSTC with its nondiscriminatory policies. They also ensure the flexibility of their course schedule. There’s an option for a virtual style of learning.
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#4. Independent School District
Independent school district #728 is located at 815 Highway 10, Elk River, MN 55330, United States.
The Independent School District has 10 elementary schools, 6 middle schools, and 4 high schools. They have groomed about 50,000 students so far and are known for their remarkable achievements in maths compared to their neighboring school districts.
They offer a comprehensive early childhood through grade 12 curriculum that combines arts and academics. Also, they offer world languages: Spanish, French, and German, STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) in elementary and middle schools; advanced placement and college in the schools; online courses; Career Technical Education (CTE) programs, Minnesota Reading Corps: providing trained literacy tutors for children age 3 to grade 3, and Flexible Scheduling.
You can opt for their career technical education as a welding student, as it is one of Minnesota’s welding schools and colleges.
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#5. Mesabi Range Community & Technical College
Mesabi Range is a small institution located at 1100 Industrial Park Drive, P.O. Box 648, Eveleth, MN 55734, United States, with 466 undergraduates.
This is a two-year public program that the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools and The Higher Learning Commission have approved.
It offers Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities, Education, and Business, welding, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services. It operates on a semester-based calendar.
An associate degree is the highest at Mesabi Range Community and Technical College, with a total enrollment of 1,188 students. In-state tuition costs $5,329; out-of-state tuition costs $6,511, and books and supplies cost $1,000.
It has a 100% acceptance rate, and the price of its application fee is $20.
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#6. Northland Community And Technical College – Thief River Falls Campus
Northland Community and Technical College are located at 1101 Highway 1 East, Thief River Falls, MN 56701, United States.
Furthermore, Northland Community and Technical College started around December 1971; the school district was designated for an Area Vocational Technical Institute then.
Over time, the school merged with two other institutions: Thief River Falls State Junior College and later with the East Grand Forks campus of Northwest Technical College.
The school offers a variety of courses, including welding. For enrollment, you could schedule a campus visit or request information to learn more about the school.
#7. Riverland Community College
The college is at 2200 Riverland Dr, Albert Lea, MN 56007, United States.
Riverland Community College has continuously delivered excellent educational services to the southeast of Minnesota. The educational services include bachelor’s degree programs, technical training, the first two of the four-year education, and others.
Its programs have been accredited by notable organizations specializing in those fields, like the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology, the National Institute for Metalworking Skills, and others.
If you wish to study at Riverland Community College, there are options for admission forms for you to take. Such as the
- Immunization Record (form)
- Intent to Return/Re-Apply
- Request to Release Placement Test Scores
- Request to Waive High School Transcripts.
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#8. South Central Tech College
South Central Tech College is one of Minnesota’s welding schools, located at 125 SW 3rd St., Faribault, MN, 55021, United States.
As an incoming freshman, transfer, or PSEO student, who wants to start a welding career training in South Central Tech College, you can contact the school directly at the website for your application. Please note that the application form is free at SCC.
The school offers more than 50 programs and has medium social and economic diversities. For example, there are 68% of white students, 2% of Asian students, 11% of black students, 13% of Hispanic students, and 3% of other races.
As of 2019, welding technology has second to the highest graduating students after Liberal arts and sciences/liberal students.
The cost of tuition varies as usual for in-state and out-of-state students. Its average tuition cost is about $10,358 for in-state students after aid, while out-of-state students spend $17,942 on average. The federal government, states, or institutions can help with grants and scholarships to minimize the costs. These acts are commonly known as Aids.
Welding Schools Certificate
Welding schools or programs help their students prepare for their welding careers both theoretically and practically. They usually take six months to two years to arm the students with the necessary skills to get them started on their career journey. Also, this length of time depends on the category of the welding certificate.
The welding certificates one can study for include;
- Certified Welding Inspector
- Certified Associate Welding Inspector
- Senior Certified Welding Inspector
- Certified Welding Educator
- Certified Radiographic Interpreter
- Certified Welding Supervisor
- Certified Welding Sales Representative
- Certified Welding Engineer
- Certified Welder
- Certified Robotic Arc Welding
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What Does it Cost to Learn to Weld?
Different levels of welding training are needed for different positions in the industry, and certifications are mostly issued based on this. One can opt for apprenticeships, which are less expensive and, depending on their informality, might cost nearly nothing. Presently, an apprenticeship is between $0 and $1,300. This type of training last for 3-5 years.
While technical and community colleges charge around $5,000 to $15,000 for their welding training programs, which usually last for two years. The cost of tuition varies based on location, specialization, residents versus non-residents, and other factors.
For instance, at Alexandria Technical & Community College, tuition costs $7,000 and lasts one year.
A bachelor’s degree costs nearly $40,000–$100,000. It is also a four-year study. People with this degree usually work as welding supervisors, engineers, and other managing positions.
It is worthy of note to consider other costs aside from the tuition fee, like equipment and books, housing and meals, physical examination fees, lab fees, etc. These range from $500 to $10,000).
However, when qualified, students can receive discounts and scholarships from societies or organizations. Some welding tools and equipment are cheaper, especially the used ones.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Welding Schools in Minnesota
What are the Requirements of a Good Welder?
A good welder must be;
Attentive to detail
Hands-eye coordinated
Spatial-oriented
Proficient in maths
Physically fit and possess a high level of endurance
What are the Places Where Welders can Work?
Construction sites
Manufacturing industries
Aerospace industry
Gas & oil field power plants
Refineries
Shipbuilding sites
Automobile & motorcycle fabrication and repair sites
References
