In our day and age, welders are needed in a variety of different sectors of the economy: from construction to car manufacturing.
If you want a stable career that allows you to combine your dexterity and attention to detail with good technical skills, welding sounds like a good option.
The first step in your journey is to complete training at a trade school, community college, or in a different educational setting.
Below we have compiled information about the welding schools that are available in the Kansas City area.
Metropolitan Community College
The Welding Program provided by the Metropolitan Community College teaches students how to use equipment and techniques specific to the welding industry.
The program offers the following degrees and job-ready certificates:
- A.A.S. Welding Technology and Management
- Welding MIG Certificate
- Welding MIG/TIG
- Welding Construction
Graduates are ready for employment as welders, fabricators, pipefitters, and other related positions.
Address: 3200 Broadway, Kansas City, MO 64111
Kansas City Kansas Community College
Kansas City Kansas Community College is offering a certificate program in Welding Technology.
The program is designed to teach skills needed in the welding trade.
Students enrolled in this program learn blueprint reading, metallurgy, oxy-acetylene and semi-automatic cutting, brazing, and a variety of industry-standard welding processes.
You need 20 credits to earn a Certificate A and 40 credits to earn a Certificate B.
There are no specific requirements for admission to this program.
Address: 7250 State Ave, Kansas City, Kansas 66112
Aviation Institute of Maintenance
The Combination Welding program offered by the Aviation Institute of Maintenance can be completed in 12 months.
Graduates receive a diploma and are ready to take the Welding Certification test from the American Welding Society.
Students develop hands-on manipulative skills involved in welding and flame cutting and participate in classroom instruction classes that cover welding theory, shop prints, blueprint reading, and more.
Address: 4100 Raytown Road, Kansas City, MO 64129
Crider's Institute of Welding Technology
Crider’s Institute of Welding Technology offers classes for those who want to become welding masters and for those who want to practice welding as a hobby.
Their Master Welder program can be completed in as few as 20 weeks.
Tuition for this program is $14,995 and includes the tools, materials, books, and other supplies that will be used during training.
The program is offered in two shifts: a 7 a.m.-12 p.m. class and a 12-5 p.m. shift.
Students enrolled in this program learn:
- Oxy-fuel and Arc Cutting
- Shielded Metal Arc Welding
- Gas Tungsten Arc Welding
- Pipe Welding
- Gas Metal Arc Welding
- Flux Core Arc Welding
- Fabrication Layout
- Blueprint Reading
An 8-hour Welding for the Hobbyist program is also available and it costs $285.
Address: 300 NW Jefferson St, Grain Valley, MO 64029
St. Louis - Kansas City Carpenters Regional Council
St. Louis – Kansas City Carpenters Regional Council represents more than 20,000 members from Missouri, Kansas, and Southern Illinois.
The council offers a Welding Shop in Kansas City that is available Tuesday and Thursday evenings from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. each month.
You need to sign up before attending this shop.
You can become a member of the union by completing an application online, completing a drug screen, and pay a $24 permit fee.
Address: 1401 Hampton Ave St. Louis MO, 63139
Hammerspace Community Workshop
If you want to see if welding is the right career choice for you or you need to perfect your skills, attending a workshop may be a good idea.
The center offers a variety of classes, including:
- Welding for Everyone: Arc Welding
- Cold Forging and Welding Steel: Hurricane Lamps
- Miscreant Metalshop: Wasteland Weapons
- Torch for everyone: Soldering, Brazing, and Welding a Metal Lamp
- And more
These classes are meant to encourage research, knowledge exchange, and mentoring.
Address: 5200 E 45th St Kansas City, MO 64130
