If you’re at a career crossroads and considering trade job opportunities, you may want to consider welding. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, a welding career can be lucrative both in terms of salary and benefits, and North Carolina employs a lot of welders – nearly 12,000 in 2019.
Welders also have the potential for a wide variety of work. These are just some of the industries in which welding figures prominently:
- Robotics
- Engineering
- Auto racing
- Farm equipment repair and fabrication
- The military
- Ironwork
- Auto body work
- Metal sculpting
How do I Become a Welder?
To succeed as a welder, you need good eyesight, hand-eye coordination, and manual dexterity. You should be able to concentrate on detailed work for long periods and bend, stoop, and work in awkward positions. It would help if you also were prepared to work in potentially hazardous environments, although employers should provide ample safety equipment.
In addition, welders increasingly need to be willing to put in some hours on training. Education can range from a few weeks of school or on-the-job training for low-skilled positions to several years of combined school and on-the-job training for highly skilled jobs. Formal training is available in high schools, vocational schools, technical institutes, community colleges, and private welding schools. If you’re a veteran, you can take advantage of the Wounded Warriors Family Support program, which in partnership with UAW-Ford, offers a free six-week welding training program for veterans. And when they say “free,” they mean it: both tuition and room-and-board are 100% paid for. To learn more visit the Wounded Warrior Website.
Ultimately, some welders become certified, which involves showing proficiency in welding according to industry associations’ standards and codes. If the welding inspector at the testing facility determines a worker has met these guidelines, that worker is certified in a specific welding specialty, like arc welding or engineering welding. These certifications can lead to higher earnings, so it pays to include them in your welding career plan.
Are You Looking for Assistance Finding a Welding Job in Greenville, NC?
Mega Force works with top welding employers across North Carolina for your convenience. Contact our team today or browse our online job search portal.
