Is welding school worth it? Tons of thoughts to help you decide

In this episode we tackle the hot topic if welding school is worth it. I try to be as honest as possible and share facts to help you make the decision.

0:00:00 Intro
0:04:33 Option 1: Teach yourself
0:09:10 Option 2: Go to a school
0:19:15 Option 3: Work 1 on 1 with a expert
0:27:33 What school to go to?
0:37:01 Pay and job prospects
0:42:44 Conclusion

[nealesmith]

Great video! I once lived next to an 83 year old man who had been a soldier in WW2. Instead of carrying a rifle, he carried welding equipment and repaired things on the battlefield under combat conditions. He was an expert in oxy-acetylene and stick welding. We got along great and I wish I had asked him to teach me. But we had to move away and I never got the chance. Now I'm learning on my own with help from your videos and others. Thanks for creating all this instructional material.

[markdeitchman]

a welder psychologist! what a combo! blue collar intellectual. I think you will be very helpful to many people. great goal Greg.

[MyJp]

Electrician here. Everything you said I had my fist in the air cheering! You hit every nail on the head buddy. For most young people, I think college is an expensive way to drink beer, so trade school is still way a head. But you have to be careful where you spend your money. My local vo-tech feels like a high-school course. Like you said, go to welding school by working for a $10/hr sweat shop. Learn on their dime and wave by when you out grow them. I love your videos, great sense of humor, you're a born teacher

[michaelkelly]

Very well said. There is something to be said for a man that, can do many things, and not just one. We all need to learn to improve and add skills if we want more performance from our situations.

[mkearn]

I couldn’t agree more with this video, especially when you brushed on the part about effort. I went to community for welding years ago and struggled at first quite a bit. There just wasn’t the time available for individual 1 on 1. The bad part about that is that bad habits can form and honestly they can be hard to break. When I was done going to evening classes I had a stick cert as well as an .045 dual shield cert while working in a small fab shop. I thought I was a good welder, but what I didn’t realize was there was more to welding than just flat position mig😂. shortly after that I got into an apprenticeship and it was like I was learning from scratch. I was told to run only stringers and no weaves, which was an adjustment. Booth welding helps, but real field work will teach and humble a person pretty quickly. I’ve had my ass handed to me more times than I can count, but it’s all part of learning. I’ve learned a lot from the older guys that have been there and done that. Taking suggestions and asking for help goes a long way. I still watch a lot of youtube just to try to learn more or have refreshers. Off subject….. that load block art is sick as hell bro. You did an amazing job on that. You’re content is always top notch Greg!

[stdraft]

School is a great option. People can go work at a company uncertified and get experience, but you'll likely watch them hire an outsider with certifications or a diploma. If you want to get higher pay and more options, School is one of the best options.

[Cptnbond]

Hi Greg,
Tons of advice for the aspiring welder. If you are faced that you cannot go the 'welding school path' (for various reasons), the only options that remain are 1) distance learning, i.e., watching and practicing from YT channels such as yours. 2) get some one-to-one teaching, maybe as an apprentice from some experienced guy, with short 'lessons' and then practice at home. 3) on-the-job training. You mentioned it; this prolonged process requires a very motivated individual - likely the hardest struggle. My thoughts about this are to insert 'small projects' to encourage creativity and not forget why you wanted to get into the trade in the first place. Thanks for all your effort in your channel, helping individuals reach their goals. Cheers.

[BobWolford-qb]

Down here in Mississippi, we have workforce training at no charge to the student- all that is required is that the student procure his own basic PPE and equipment- about $200 in steel toed boots, basic hand tools, welding helmet, gloves, etc. So I did that- lasted probably 4 or 5 months, but the only thing they taught was stick and dual shield flux. Reason they did that is because the program was tailored to send folks to a local ship yard that uses those very processes. The goal of the student was to acquire certifications in 3g and 4g stick, as well as 3g and 4g flux core. I was able to get 3 of the 4 certifications without much of a problem (I never could get my 4g stick due to my injured right shoulder that prevented me from doing overhead stick to the degree that needed to be done). Along with doing that course, I taught myself welding theory by reading and watching an absolute ton of YouTubes, so I have knowledge, not necessarily skill. I managed to essentially teach myself MIG with some assistance from one of my instructors after I had finished up with the stick and flux core, so I have that skill as well. The problem, however, is that even with my flux core certifications in hand, a local fab shop that runs flux core wasn't interested in even giving me a weld test because I didn't have "experience". So that's frustrating.

[miketubeu]

Greg, another excellent video, and great comments above by some of your followers. I certainly would not argue with any of your comments and your poster’s.

I’m 64 and retired last year. I earned a 2 year community college in electronics right after graduating high school. I was fortunate enough in my first 20 years I got to work with some very smart engineers. Like you, they shared their knowledge and wisdom if you wanted to learn. As much as I wanted to go back to college, my weakest strength was writing, spelling and communication. My last 24 years was working for a big phone company, Engineering Assistant, which I could have done right out of High School with the knowledge my father had taught me.

I signed up about 10 years ago taking an introductory welding class. The biggest mistake I made was I had in my mind not to watch any You Tube Videos. I sucked at welding and should have watch said videos because like you said, getting individual time with an instructor may have helped. So, 10 years later I have a little repair to do on my utility trailer, nothing structural. Like you said practice, practice, practice. I certainly feel way more confident with previous purchased Stick welding machine, ESAB Mini Arc 161. So much so, I went out and purchased 125 Flux Mig machine to try and weld/repair 18 ga material. Not sure if I’m regretting said purchase over Harbor Freight Titanium 125, my machine, Tooliom 135A, has synergic settings. Now I need more practice 😊, Thanks Greg

Greg, you sound just like my Dad who were self-taught men, that I put in the category of Jack-of-all Trades and Master of All versus none.

[markdeitchman]

I should add that you are an excellent communicator. and I suspect you would also are a very good listener. so you will do good at whatever you choose to do.

[jimmywilson]

I’ll be honest with you I haven’t welded anything until about a month ago in 20 years. I’ve got a couple of friends that are professional welders, fabricators, and machinists… I haven’t talked to them since I’ve got my little titanium 125 welder… I’m just more of a hands on learner and I like to watch guys like you on YouTube. I pick up little tips and tricks here and there. If a was in a class reading out of a book for 3 months before I ever even get to weld anything, I would probably loose interest by then…😅 I know the basics, I’ve welded a little bit with a mig, flux core, and stick welder. I want to learn tig so bad but I want to get better with my little flux core welder before I attempt anything like that…😂 I’m not an idiot, I know how to not kill myself and I’m sure I’m already years away from most people just starting out… I’ve been working on things most of my life and you learn a lot along the way from older guys that really know what they are doing… Most of these kids nowadays probably haven’t ever worked on anything… In that situation I’m sure class is important but for me I’ll just figure it out by myself… I’ll never be a “professional welder” anyway… That’s my opinion on it.

[johngersna]

Good morning Greg. I've commented a few times on your channel and I have to tell you that you've done a great service to a lot of young people with this video. You're not only a great teacher but you have a lot of common sense and you pass it on to others. I also believe that you are making a difference. I'm an old man and I can tell you that I've learned a lot from your videos. God bless and keep teaching. 👍👍🙂

[VortekXtiik]

Welding school’s important but also real world experience is better, if you are in welding school, don’t only pay attention to the welding, at least in my school we touched a little bit on rigging, knots, hoisting signals, learn what the mainline is and learn what the whip line is on a crane, Very important stuff once you are in the field. Also pass the tools with the handle pointing to the person grabbing it! Work safely and don’t smoke dope!

[Justforfun-eket]

I’ve wanted to go to welding school but I’ve been spending money on welders, equipment, PPE, and materials and just welding stuff (practicing) I’ve gotten to the point that I can MIG weld really well, stick weld good, and TIG like a kindergartner. But I’m still teaching myself.

[stovolbelinche]

i got a quick qustion i love the desing on the welding hood what tpe of desing and brand is it

[lilPeanut]

Hi Greg, I totally agree with everything you said. Do you have any welding schools that you would highly recommend? Or are you a welding instructor at a welding school yourself?

[stovolbelinche]

if you whants to be pycogist go for it


i am trying to get at lest a bit better at english becous i came from moscow russia befor this almost point less war also i have been what you call maby " binge " waching welsing since like 9:00 pm eastern time

i hope i used the quotaion right that would be some what embarsing 😂😅

olso not sure if i want to learn more of this english or learn more welding but not being able to talk to boss cold be a problem

haha not an expert but can weld razor blads to geter heheh

idoes whant to learn oxy stick tig mig carbon rod cutting and ironworking i know this becous i am motivated and as hardhead as a t-34 tank this is just probley a two edged sword 😅