Previous welding experience is required.

Class runs Mondays and Tuesdays, February 7 - March 15, 2022, 5:30 to 8:30 pm (6 weeks). 

Tuition excludes cost for certification attempt(s). Cost for each certification is $100.00 made payable to Advanced Welding Institute (AWI). This course includes up to two certifications. Cost to retake certification is $50.00. 

For financial assistance please contact VSAC at 877-961-4369.

One of the most common welding codes is the American Welding Society (AWS) D1.1 which covers structural steel welding like for a car trailer, a machine support or a handrail. The combination welding certifications that you can work to earn in this course will be a 3/8 inch plate test and it is the limited thickness procedure. It certifies you to weld plate from 1/8 to 3/4 of an inch thick. The shielded metal arc welding (SMAW) a.k.a. “stick welding” is the process preferred for most outdoor work and the 3G and 4G combo welding certifications certify you to do fillet welds in the 1F, 2F, 3F, 4F positions, and groove welds in the 1G (flat), 2G (horizontal), 3G (vertical), 4G (overhead) positions, on structural steel. It also certifies you to do fillet welds on pipe with a minimum diameter of 24 inches.

You may have wondered, "how do I become a certified welder?" “Do I need to become certified?” It’s a tricky question to answer because there is not a single welding certification test that will certify you to weld everything. Most welding certification tests are done under the codes written by AWS or ASME (American Society of Mechanical Engineers.) There is a specific code written for almost every application of welding. Many welded components are also not required to follow a code; therefore, no certification is required. Unlike the plumbing or electrical trades, welding certification is not a "license". You will need to know what welding process you intend to use (Stick, TIG or MIG), material types and thickness, as well as what positions you will use in production. 

NOTE: These welding certifications expire after three years, or after six months of not welding in this technique. It's recommended to maintain a log at least once a month and have it signed by a witness.

For additional training, please contact the Advanced Welding Institute in South Burlington at 802-660-0600 or awi.edu.

Welding Career Outlook