How to Start Your Career in Welding

Welding is a great career for many people. You gain skills that very few people have, then get to use them to build or repair tangible things. The work is often interesting, especially if you enjoy hands-on work and have a mind for technical details. This is a great time to get started in the field.

At LG Resources, we help welders of all experience levels find jobs with employers in Utah. If you’re looking to get started in this exciting field, we recommend these first steps.

1. Finish Your High School Diploma or GED.

Welding training programs typically require a high school diploma or GED. To be a successful welder, you need to be comfortable with math and have decent communication skills. If you haven’t yet completed high school, your first step should be to finish that up.

2. Enroll in a Welding Training Program.

A welding certificate program is a great way to start your career. Here in Utah, we often see welding students getting a good start to their careers at Mountainland Technical College, Davis Technical College, Ogden-Weber Technical College, or Salt Lake Community College. 

Some welders also get started through apprenticeships without enrolling in a certificate program first. Apprentices generally get paid to work as they build their skills, but these programs are often competitive and usually take more time. You may be able to find an apprenticeship through a local trade union.

3. Learn the Basics of Welding.

Whether you’re in a certificate program or an apprenticeship, you will need to master common welding techniques. To gain the most job opportunities, you will want to learn procedures used in the structural steel industry, petroleum pipelines, sheet metal, and chemical refinery welding.

Ideally, your training should give you an opportunity to learn:

• How to determine how much material you need, measure and cut to the correct dimensions, develop joint designs, and adjust machine settings appropriately using math
• The physics, chemistry, and metallurgy behind welding
• Safety procedures, including fire prevention and protection, health protection, and ventilation
• How to maintain welding equipment
• Different welding techniques, including MIG, TIG, stick, and flux-cored arc welding

4. Get a Welding Career Certificate. 

Utah does not require a state certification to work as a welder, but getting a certificate is still a good career move. A certificate shows employers that you have real knowledge in your chosen trade.

Becoming a Certified Welder (CW) through the American Welding Society (AWS) is a good way to demonstrate your skills. As a bonus, your certification will still be valid even if you move to another state.

5. Find a Post-Grad Job Placement.

Don’t expect to get your dream job right after you finish your training. While Indeed statistics show that the average welder’s wages are $23.05 per hour in Utah, that rate applies to welders of all experience levels. Your starting pay will likely be lower. 

Instead, focus on getting your foot in the door. Ideally, your job will give you a chance to practice the specific welding skills you want to develop and impress your employer with your work ethic.

A staffing agency is often a great way to start your welding career. Many employers use staffing agencies to hire new welders for temp-to-hire positions, which means you start out as a “temp” on a trial basis before being hired for a long-term position. Temp-to-hire allows you to prove your knowledge and skills to potential long-term employers while building your resume.

Additional Tips

• Work on your resume. Highlight any welding skills that are required by the job you are applying for and any relevant certifications. Mention any major achievements from your past work experiences. Run your resume through a grammar checker and ask other people to give you feedback.
• Go to your school’s career fairs. Career fairs are a great way to connect with potential employers. If a company attends a career fair at your school, you can be sure they are interested in hiring early-career welders with your training.
• Talk to employers. If a company representative presents to your class in school or provides hands-on learning experiences, make an effort to connect with them. Ask what they typically look for in a job candidate. They may be able to help you get a job.

Looking to Start Your Career in Welding?

LG Resources is a staffing agency that matches job seekers with Utah employers. If you’re looking to start your career in welding, we can help. 

Fill out our online form or visit one of our Utah offices to see our current job openings. We love helping skilled individuals find their next career steps.