Welders play an important part in building and maintaining the nation’s infrastructure.
They help build skyscrapers, cars, pipelines, highways, airplanes, and a variety of other things that are an integral part of our daily lives.
If you want a lucrative profession that will continue to be needed in the future, learning how to weld can be a good start.
From technical trade schools to community colleges and apprenticeships, there are plenty of places where you can learn how to join pieces of metal together.
Below we have compiled information about the schools that offer welding programs in the Chicago region.
Arc Academy
Arc Academy is a Chicago welding school and makerspace.
The school offers the following classes:
- MIG 1
- MIG 2
- TIG 1
- TIG 2
- SMAW (Stick)
Each class is a few hours long with costs varying between $100-$120.
Classes are small, with less than 5 students participating.
The school also offers private one-on-one classes that cost $500 per three hours.
Private group classes are also available and cost $700 for three hours of groups up to four people.
Address: 2225 W. Chicago Ave. Chicago, IL 60622
Chicago Industrial Arts & Design Center
Chicago Industrial Arts & Design Center is offering and metalworking and forging class that teaches students how to cut, bend/shape, and weld pieces of metal to create an object.
Students who take this class learn in a 3,000 square foot Metalworking & Forging Department equipped with a variety of cutting, forging, welding, and finishing equipment.
Address: 6433 N. Ravenswood, Chicago, IL 60626
Lincoln Tech
Lincoln Tech teaches a variety of trades at its Melrose Park campus, just outside of Chicago.
The school’s catalog includes a Welding Technology program.
Students enrolled in this program have access to individual welding booths equipped by Miller Electric.
Scholarships, grants, and other financial aid options are available for students who qualify.
Address: 8317 W. North Avenue Melrose Park, IL 60160
Illinois Welding School
Illinois Welding School offers intense hands-on welding classes that start monthly.
The school has an 88 percent job placement rate and a 90 percent graduation rate.
The school’s catalog includes the following diploma programs:
- Structural Welding Specialist
- Pipe Welding Specialist
- Combination Structural/Pipe Welding Specialist
Students spend 70% of their time in labs where they learn and practice welding hands-on.
Costs for diploma programs vary between less than $10,000 and more than $15,000 depending on the class.
The school also offers continuing education and refresher classes.
Address: 1315 Enterprise Dr. Romeoville, IL 60446
Jane Addams Resource Corporation
Jane Addams Resource Corporation is offering several job training programs.
Their catalog includes a Welding Fast Track program that is 350-hours long and can be completed in 14 weeks.
The program is free and is designed for unemployed adults and low-income job seekers.
Students can choose between 9 a.m.-2:30 p.m. daytime classes and 3 p.m.-8 p.m. evening classes.
Graduates are eligible for industry credentials through the American Welding Society.
Address: 4432 N. Ravenswood Avenue Chicago, IL 60640
ETI School of Skilled Trades
ETI School of Skilled Trades is offering career-oriented programs designed to be completed in as few as 7 months.
The school’s Welding program puts students in job-site simulations where they learn about each welding process so that they are ready to enter the workforce right after graduation.
Trainees get to use state-of-the-art equipment and learn from expert instructors.
The school offers day and evening classes designed to fit the student’s busy schedules.
Address: 500 Joliet Rd Suite #100 Willowbrook IL 60527
Chicago Women in Trades
Chicago Women in Trades offers a Women in Welding Program designed to teach women a high-demand universal skill.
The program is free and can be completed in 12 weeks.
Classes take place Monday through Thursday from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
The curriculum includes classes such as:
- Three Welding Practices
- American Welding Society Certification in MIG
- Shop Math
- Blueprint Reading
- OSHA-10 Certification
- Workplace Readiness
- Resume Building
- And more
Address: 2444 W. 16th Street, Suite 3E Chicago, IL 60608
City Colleges of Chicago
City Colleges of Chicago offer a Welding Engineering Technology, Advanced Certificate.
Students enrolled in this program learn MIG, TIG, metal cutting techniques, and small machine operation-related welding.
The program also includes blueprint reading classes.
Students can earn the following related degrees and certificates:
- Manufacturing Technology, Basic Certificate
- CNC Technology, Basic Certificate
- Welding Engineering Technology, Advanced Certificate
Address: 180 N. Wabash Chicago, IL 60601
