Welding is required in all industries that use high heat, metals, and other fusible materials to manufacture and build things.
Experienced welders are in high demand and they make a pretty good living, especially after gaining a few years of experience.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, welders in Virginia earn $46,360 per year on average but top welders make more than $62,000 per year.
If you want to learn how to weld, on this page we have compiled information about the schools that offer welding courses in the Richmond area.
Richmond Technical Center
Richmond Technical Center is offering training programs for future welders.
The program is offered for three different experience levels:
- Welder I – this program teaches students how to use manual welding, cutting, and electrical welding processes as well as blueprint reading, safety practices, and more.
- Welder II- students enrolled in this program learn advanced techniques of fine-tuning their craft.
- Welder III- this capstone course teaches emerging techniques and how to perform GTAW and SMAW pipe tests.
Address: 2020 Westwood Avenue, Richmond, VA 23230
Centura College Allied Health & Trades
The Combination Welding program offered by Centura College Allied Health & Trades is designed to equip students with the knowledge and skills needed for entry-level employment in the field.
The program covers topics such as blueprint reading, measurement, cylinder safety, plasma, and oxy-fuel cutting as well as safety measures.
Students learn shielded metal arc welding, gas metal arc welding, flux core arc welding, and gas tungsten arc welding.
The program can be completed in 12 months and students can choose between day and night schedules.
Address: 4455 South Blvd., Virginia Beach, VA 23452
Reynolds Community College
Reynolds Community College is offering several skilled trades programs, including a Welding- Advanced CSC and a Welding CSC program.
The Welding CSC program prepares students with no prior experience in welding and it also helps those who want to upgrade their skills.
The Welding -Advanced is for students who have experience in welding.
Before enrolling in the advanced program, students should complete the Fundamentals of Welding class, Gas Metal Arc Welding, Gas Tungsten Arc Welding, Tungsten Inert Gas, or petition for approval to enroll in the program.
Address: 1651 E. Parham Road Richmond, VA 23228
Community College Workforce Alliance
The Community College Workforce Alliance is offering several skilled trades classes that prepare students for careers in construction, HVAC, electrical, plumbing, and heavy equipment.
Training can be completed in 2-3 months.
Students learn the following skills:
- Core craft skills
- Safety
- Heavy equipment operation
- Introduction to tools
- Construction math
- HVAC operation and repair
- Plumbing
- Welding
- And more
Many skilled trade classes are taught in a hybrid format.
Address: 1651 E Parham Rd, Richmond, VA 23228
Richmond Adult Technical Center
Richmond Adult Technical Center is offering a Welding Career Pathway that includes the following classes:
- ARC (Stick) I
- ARC (Stick) II
- Arc (Stick) Certification
- MIG I
- MIG II
- MIG Certification
- TIG I
- TIG II
- TIG Certification
Certification classes meet 1 night a week and cost $400 per 45 hours.
Students meet between 6 p.m. and 9:30 p.m.
It usually takes 3 semesters to complete a welding discipline, each semester being including 45 hours of class.
Address: 2015 Seddon Way Suite 110, Richmond, VA 23230
