Welding is a promising career path in Florida, but proper training is required for professional success.
If you know which welding schools in Florida offer courses that meet your needs and can provide the necessary welding certifications, you can get ready to enter the field and start building your reputation.
This article covers everything you need to know about welding programs and job opportunities in Florida.
Table of contents
- 15 Best Welding Schools In Florida | 2023 Requirements
- #1 George Stone Technical College
- #2 Southern Technical College
- #3 Fusion Welding Institute
- #4 Ridge Technical College
- #5 Treasure Coast Technical College
- #6 Florida Technical College
- #7 Indian River State College
- #8 Florida Gateway College
- #9 Northwest Florida State College
- #10 Eastern Florida State College
- #11 Florida State College Jacksonville
- #12 Big Bend Technical College
- #13 College of Central Florida – Levy Campus
- #14 Daytona State College
- #15 Hillsborough Community College
- Tulsa Welding School in Jacksonville, Florida.
- How Much Do Welders Make In Florida?
- Who Are The Major Employers Of Welders In Florida?
- How to Obtain a Welder Certification in Florida
- Is a License Required for Florida Welders?
- How Long Does It Take to Become a Welder in Florida?
- FAQS On Best Welding Schools In Florida in 2023
- Conclusion
- References
15 Best Welding Schools In Florida | 2023 Requirements
- 1 George Stone Technical College
- 2 Southern Technical College
- 3 Fusion Welding Institute
- 4 Ridge Technical College
- 5 Treasure Coast Technical College
- 6 Florida Technical College
- 7 Indian River State College
- 8 Florida Gateway College
- 9 Northwest Florida State College
- 10 Eastern Florida State College
- 11 Florida State College Jacksonville
- 12 Big Bend Technical College
- 13 College of Central Florida – Levy Campus
- 14 Daytona State College
- 15 Hillsborough Community College
- Tulsa Welding School in Jacksonville, Florida.
#1 George Stone Technical College
George Stone Tech offers a wide range of programs among all the best welding schools in Florida on this list. Its welding program teaches students not only how to weld but also about labor issues, safety, and other technical and product skills.
The 1,050-hour program would take 10 months to complete if taken full-time. Students will learn about workplace organization and safety, fundamental manufacturing processes, metal identification, and much more throughout this comprehensive program.
Students will be prepared to take the American Welding Society’s Certified Welder exam after concluding this program.
See also: 10 Best Trade Schools For Welding in 2023
#2 Southern Technical College
Welding programs are available at three Southern Technical College campuses: Auburndale, Orlando, and Sanford. This program gives an Associate of Applied Science in Welding Technology.
Students learn advanced pipe welding methods as well as welding processes. The course includes hands-on training from skilled professionals and can be completed in 18 months.
Southern Tech also offers day and evening classes to serve its students better. Graduates are prepared to perform welding work in any environment.
#3 Fusion Welding Institute
Fusion is one of the best welding schools in Florida. Lectures are delivered through hands-on training, repetition, and simulations of real-world situations. As a student of Fusion, you will have a practical class every day.
They offer a 450-hour program with a very accommodating schedule. The facility is open 80 hours per week to ensure that students have access to what they need and that they can complete the course at their own pace.
On the first day, students practice body positioning and muscle memory by welding a pipe. Because instructors promote students as they advance in their welding abilities, advanced welders can accelerate their learning while inexperienced welders can take things at their own pace.
Fusion claims that this is the most effective training regimen for preparing students for weld testing as soon as possible.
#4 Ridge Technical College
Ridge Technical College teaches metal layout and fabrication techniques to students using specialized hand tools and machines. Leadership, interpersonal communication, and employability skills will be developed in students.
Graduates of the 1,050-hour program are eligible to take the American Welding Society certification exam. You’ll learn how to weld and cut metal with an electric arc and oxyacetylene.
#5 Treasure Coast Technical College
This is one of the best welding schools in Florida.
The welding program at Treasure Coast Technical College takes ten months to complete. This includes carefully examining American Welding Society welding symbols, reading blueprints, torch and plasma cutting, and other topics.
Students will learn how to weld on a plate, pipe, ferrous and nonferrous metals, among other things. Graduates are eligible to take the American Welding Society’s Certified Welder exam.
#6 Florida Technical College
Through the Welding Diploma Program, students will learn technical skills and gain real-world experience in metal cutting. Field measurements, construction drawings, and manufacturing drawings will also be translated.
Students will also use the SMAW (Shielded Metal Arc Welding), GMAW (Gas Metal Arc Welding), FCAW (Flux Core Arc Welding), and GTAW (Gas Tungsten Arc Welding) processes, as well as the pipe welding methods associated with these four welding processes, to apply what they have learned.
This welding course will teach students the fundamentals of construction job site safety. Both the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER) investigate safety standards and laws, including certification assessments and performance tasks (OSHA).
Students will also examine common construction tools and equipment. They will also assess the significance of employability and communication abilities. In addition, the students will practice drawing and math skills.
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#7 Indian River State College
IRSC is one of the cheapest welding schools in Florida.
Students at IRSC Welding Technology School learn fundamental layout and material usage, industry quality standards, safety requirements, and blueprint drawing interpretation, in addition to the two most commonly used welding techniques, GMAW and GTAW.
After completing the program, you’ll be able to work as a welder in a variety of lucrative industries, including manufacturing and auto racing. Becoming a cutter, solderer, or brazer, all of which use heat to create and shape solutions for a variety of applications, are all similar but distinct career paths.
Students can obtain AWS certifications for pipe, structural, and a variety of alloys. Exams are given at the end of the program.
#8 Florida Gateway College
Students completing this 1,800-hour program will receive two program certificates. The Welding Technologies course takes up the majority of the 1,050 hours, with students learning SMAW (stick), GMAW (MIG), GMAW-P (pulsed MIG), FCAW (flux core), GTAW (tig), and GTAW-P (pulsed tig) on plates with thicknesses ranging from razor blade (.040) to at least one inch.
Students who have completed the Welding Technology course can enroll in our 750-hour Advanced Welding Technologies course. For 40- and 80-inch pipes, the advanced course covers all of the welding procedures covered in the welding technologies course.
In addition, FGC is one of only eleven LEEPS schools in the country (Lincoln Electric Education Partner School).
All students are instructed to use the lab’s authentic, modern welding equipment, including the critical Weld Trainer.
They also have a robotic educational cell in the classroom where students can learn about robotic programming and operations, as well as virtual reality welders.
#9 Northwest Florida State College
Northwest Florida State College is one of the best welding schools in Florida.
The welding technology program is primarily concerned with structural welding. The training includes oxy/fuel cutting, plasma cutting, TIG, Stick, MIG, and Flux Core welding on steel and chrome steel plate.
This training provides the student with the knowledge and skills required to succeed in a career as a structural welder.
Graduates of the program will be prepared to take certification exams in specific welding codes, such as AWS D1.1 – Structural Principle.
The welding technology program prepares students to earn widely recognized certificates after completing the program’s National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER) curriculum.
Students can enroll in the Welding Technology program during fall and spring for day or night classes. Accepted students must successfully complete a drug audition.
#10 Eastern Florida State College
The EFSC Welding Technology program provides the theoretical knowledge and hands-on training needed to establish a solid foundation in welding skills. Its mission is to teach students how to weld ferrous and nonferrous base materials, pipe, and structural steel.
The application process for the Welding program is different. The Appliance Process website contains information about the program, such as the application deadline, fees, course prerequisites, and equipment.
This course is taught on the Cocoa campus. It is taught full-time, daytime classes Monday through Thursday.
The curriculum courses are delivered over two 20-week terms beginning in August. The program is frequently completed in less than a year.
Welding codes approved by the American Welding Society (AWS), ASME, API, and ANSI are used for instruction and standards. There are procedures in place to ensure safety and quality.
Graduates will be eligible to take the AWS certification exam and will be prepared for entry-level welding positions.
#11 Florida State College Jacksonville
Students who complete the Welding Technology Career Certificate (CC) program are prepared for careers in construction, paper mills, power plants, shipbuilding, and the aerospace industry. Through expert hands-on training, the skills required for a successful career can be acquired at a fraction of the tuition at this welding school.
Welding experts teach all welding processes, including SMAW (stick) plate and pipe, GMAW (MIG) steel and aluminum, FCAW (flux cored), and GTAW (tig) plate and pipe on steel, stainless steel, and aluminum.
Academics, as well as laboratory and practical training, are provided to meet industry standards and prepare for practical certificate exams. Graduates of this welding program will be qualified to work as entry-level welding technicians.
#12 Big Bend Technical College
The training includes using shop drawings, blueprints, and welding processes in accordance with diagrams, blueprints, and written specifications, among other things.
Activities in the shop or laboratory are critical components of this program because they teach students about various welding and fabrication processes and techniques.
Laboratory activities include a basic understanding of pipe welding, certification test preparation using current industry standards, practices, and techniques, as well as oxyacetylene welding, brazing, and cutting (OAW), arc welding (SMAW), MIG welding (GMAW), flux cored welding (FCAW), and TIG welding (GTAW).
Human relations, communication, leadership, and safe and effective work procedures are all covered in this program.
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#13 College of Central Florida – Levy Campus
Another on our list of best welding schools in Florida is the College of Central Florida.
Two Career and Technical Certificates are available through the CF Welding Technology program. The program is available in both full-time and part-time formats.
Monday through Thursday, classes are held both during the day and at night.
Welders and flame cutters, tack welders, welder assemblers, arc cutters, arc welders, combination welders, and assembly line welders are among the careers available to welding students.
This program provides supplemental training to people who have previously worked in these occupations or who are currently working in them.
#14 Daytona State College
The Welding Technology program is worth 24.17 vocational credits. Students will participate in a variety of in-class and laboratory activities as part of the curriculum.
Students learn about welding safety and gain proficiency in Stick, MIG, TIG, and Oxy-acetylene welding. This is one of the best welding schools in Florida that uses a hands-on approach to student learning.
Students will also learn how to read blueprints, which is required for employment as a welder or welder assistant.
The program gives students a broad base of knowledge and abilities that will prepare them for employment in machining positions.
The course teaches how to use lathes and mills, how to care for and use measuring tools, how to program CNC machines, how to use CAD/CAM software, how to use electrical discharge machines (EDM), how to use multi-axis machining, and how to manufacture products in accordance with industry standards.
#15 Hillsborough Community College
To prepare for AWS certification and a career in the welding field, the welding technology postsecondary adult vocational (PSAV) program provides a strong foundation and advanced knowledge of a wide range of welding applications.
The training covers welder helper, shielded metal arc, gas metal arc, flux cored arc, gas tungsten arc, and pipe welder. There is a three-semester program with an internship available.
Its goal is to provide prospective students with an overview of the courses required to complete this degree or certificate. The curriculum for this course was taken from the most recent college catalog.
This is one of the best welding schools in Florida.
Tulsa Welding School in Jacksonville, Florida.
Tulsa Welding School is one of Florida’s most well-known and well-liked welding schools.
This Jacksonville-based college provides two welding training courses:
- The professional welding program lasts seven months. During the training, you will take classes in flux-core, structural, and pipe welding.
- There is a 10-month Professional Welding with Pipefitting Program available. After completing the program, you will be able to work as a boilermaker, steamfitter, pipefitter, and general welder.
How Much Do Welders Make In Florida?
A welder in Florida can expect to earn $19.20 per hour. He receives an average of $39,936 per year and a weekly wage of $768.
Some counties in Florida pay significantly more than this amount. They pay experienced welders up to $50 or more per hour.
Remember that the average salary for a welder in Florida varies according to experience.
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Who Are The Major Employers Of Welders In Florida?
Top employers of graduates of welding schools in Florida include:
- St. John’s Shipbuilding: Welders build and repair ships of all sizes.
- Walt Disney World: The well-known theme park hires welders to build and maintain attractions. Associate welders are always in high demand.
- Big Top Manufacturing, Inc.: The company hires welders to keep the equipment running smoothly.
- Toyota: The well-known automaker employs welders to construct vehicle frames.
How to Obtain a Welder Certification in Florida
Becoming a welder in Florida is a simple and straightforward process.
First, you must complete high school or have a GED to pursue this career path. Because some businesses offer on-the-job training, you might be able to find an apprenticeship to jumpstart your career.
Then enroll in postsecondary education. This is because the majority of businesses prefer to hire welders who have completed extensive training courses.
You must obtain certification from the American Welding Society (AWS).
To put it another way, you must complete your welding training at an AWS-certified facility. In simple terms, attend a welding school in Florida.
Throughout your training, you will take a variety of theoretical classes as well as practical training.
You must pass a test for welding certification after completing your training.
Is a License Required for Florida Welders?
The state of Florida does not issue welding licenses. Although it is not required, AWS certification is preferred.
Welders are not required to have insurance in order to work in Florida. Independent welders, on the other hand, would be wise to invest in liability insurance.
How Long Does It Take to Become a Welder in Florida?
You can become a welder in less than a year if you take advantage of the numerous training programs available in Florida. If you can find a welding apprenticeship rather than attending school, expect to work for a few years under the close supervision of a more experienced welder.
FAQS On Best Welding Schools In Florida in 2023
No.
In reality, the inverse is true.
The American Welding Society (AWS) predicts a 400,000-welder shortage by 2024.
The demand for welders is increasing and reaching an all-time high.
Welding positions are available on most job search websites, including Indeed, LinkedIn, and Monster.
The majority of people believe that a four-year degree is required for a well-paying and rewarding career. That, however, is not the case.
Construction managers ($97,180), elevator and escalator installers and repairers ($88,540), and radiation therapists ($86,850) are among the highest-paid trade workers, earning significantly more than the national average and even most college graduates.
Welding can be a stressful job for those who are not physically prepared for the demanding work.
Another source of stress for some welders may be the possibility of workplace injuries.
Finally, welders must adhere to strict deadlines.
So, if you prefer a job that is less physically demanding and does not have strict deadlines, welding may not be for you.
Conclusion
Now is the time to enroll in one of Florida’s best welding schools for certification! After submitting an application to a welding school, you’ll have taken the first step toward a welding career.