There are welding schools in Alaska for individuals who are interested in becoming professional welders.
According to the United States Bureau of Labour Statistics, employment of welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers is projected to grow by 8 per cent from 2020 to 2030, about as fast as the average for all occupations.
The nation’s ageing infrastructure requires the expertise of welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers in order to help in rebuilding highways, bridges, and buildings.
In the United States, about 49, 200 openings for welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers are projected each year, on average, over the decade.
- American Welding Society says the U.S. could need more than 400,000 new welders by 2024.
- Employment of plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters is projected to grow 5% from 2020-2030.
- According to U.S. News & World Report, plumbers rank #2 and electricians rank #3 in a list of Best Construction Jobs, which considers salary, flexibility, and growth opportunities, among other factors
A lot of times, the openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labour force, such as to retire.
In this article, we will be looking at the welding schools in Alaska and other key information about welders in Alaska.
Welder earnings by seniority
The average salary for a welder in Alaska is around $72,940 per year, with an average wage per hour of around $35.07.
Wages typically start from $48,740 and go up to $98,170 and start from $23.43 per hour and go up to $47.20 per hour.
| Top-level welder | $47.20 per hour | $98,170per year |
| Senior-level welder | $40.62 per hour | $84,480per year |
| Mid-level welder | $35.07per hour | $72,940per year |
| Junior-level welder | $28.63per hour | $59,540per year |
| Starting level welder | $23.43per hour | $48,740per year |
How to Become a Welder in Alaska
There are no specific qualifications for welders in Alaska, and it is possible to become a skilled tradesperson through on-the-job learning.
However, many employers want to hire certified workers. To be certified, there are tests to be taken. These tests can be completed with or without completing the training course.
This makes certificates easy to obtain, especially for people who have good knowledge and skills in welding.
Welding jobs can be found across the state, with the highest concentration in Anchorage.
There are also positions in cities like Juneau or Fairbanks, and in more remote oil and fishery regions.
Because welders are needed in specific industries, it might be a bit difficult to start your own business.
However, it can be done if you are willing and able to work hard and see things through.
Therefore, whether you work in town or out of town, welding offers competitive wages and good job security.
How much do the welding programs in Alaska cost?
When the different welding schools in Alaska were checked, we discovered that the cost of taking a welding program in any of the welding schools in Alaska falls between $10,000 to $20,000.
For instance, at Alaska Vocational Technical Center. AVTEC, they offer pipe welding and structural components, which takes 1,120 hours to complete and the program currently costs $18,919.00. The cost includes books, fees and room and board.
The sections can also be taken individually, with pipe welding costing $10,306.00 and structural costing $11,393.00 at this time.
Also, at Charter College, their welding programs are delivered partially in the classroom and partially online. The intake is throughout the year and the full course of study takes 10 months to complete. The cost of the welding program is also within that range.
Northern Industrial Training offers four welding programs at their main campus and three of these courses are 8 weeks long and cost between $9,000 and $10,000 at this time, depending on the course.
Their 16-week Ultimate Welding program currently costs $18,250.
The List of Welding Schools in Alaska
The list below contains welding schools in Alaska accredited by the American Welding Society’s SENSE Accreditation Program.
Each welding program includes such topics as Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (TIG), Shielded Metal Arc Welding (stick), or Gas Metal Arc Welding (MIG).
In common, a high-school diploma or GED is enough to participate in a welding training but sometimes you need to meet some other requirements as may be stipulated on the website of any of the welding schools in Alaska you choose.
- Alaska Gateway School Dist
- Alaska SouthCentral
- Alaska Vocational Technical Center
- Hoonah City Schools
- Ilisagvik College
- Kenai Pennisula College
- Ketchikan High School
- Mat-Su School District Welding Technology
- North Pole High School
- Tuluksak School
- University of Alaska Anchorage
- University of Alaska Southeast – Ketchikan Campus
- University of Alaska Fairbanks
University of Alaska Anchorage
3211 Providence Drive Anchorage, AK 99508 United States
(907) 786-1480
Programs:
Institutional Accreditation: Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities
University of Alaska Southeast – Ketchikan Campus
2600-7th Ave Ketchikan, AK 99901 United States
(907) 225-6177
Institutional Accreditation: Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities
Programs:
University of Alaska Fairbanks
Address: 1731 South Chandalar Drive, Fairbanks, Alaska 99775
Phone: (907) 474-7034
Institutional Accreditation: Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities
Programs:
Alaska Gateway School Dist
Box 226 13135 Alaska HWY Tok, AK 99780 United States
(907) 883-5151
Alaska SouthCentral
Box 226 13135 Alaska HWY Tok, AK 99780 United States
(907) 883-5151
UAF School of Education’s educator preparation programs are accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP).
Alaska Vocational Technical Center
PO Box 889 Seward, AK 99664 United States
(907) 224-288-
Programs:
Institutional Accreditation: Council on Occupational Education
Hoonah City Schools
366 Garteeni HWY Hoona, AK 99829 United States
(907) 945-3611
Ilisagvik College
PO Box 749 Barrow, AK 99723 United States
(907) 852-3333
Programs:
Institutional Accreditation: Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities
Kenai Pennisula College
156 College Rd Soldotna, AK 99669 United States
(907) 262-0356
Ketchikan High School
2610-4th Ave Ketchikan, AK 99901 United States
(907)-225-9815
Mat-Su School District Welding Technology
501 North Gulkana Street, Palmer, AK 99645 United States
(907) 746-9238
North Pole High School
601 NPHS BLVD North Pole, AK 99705 United States
(907) 488-3761
North Pole High School is accredited by the Northwest
Association of Schools and colleges.
Tuluksak School
PO Box 115 Tuluksak, AB 99679 United States
(907) 695-5626
Welding Job Offers with Highest Salary in Alaska
Being a certified welder, you can perform a number of various jobs. Some of the jobs that provide the highest salary rate include:
- Manufacturing;
- Shipbuilding;
- Aerospace applications;
- Construction of buildings and bridges;
- Auto & motorcycle fabrication and repair;
- Gas & oil field power plants and refineries.
What are the skills you need to become a welder?
Knowing the skills required for success is important and gaining these necessary skills prepares you for working in your field and making you the ideal candidate for job openings. Most times, these skills can be learnt in the welding schools in Alaska.
Take note of the following skills:
- Understanding of and ability to read blueprints
- Mathematical skills
- Knowledge of various welding techniques
- Ability to perform related fabrication tasks
- Strong interpersonal skills
- Attention to detail
- A good work ethic
Understanding of and ability to read blueprints: As you might know, planning for any construction project revolves around blueprints.
These blueprints will be your guide in any job from parts fabrication to large-scale building, providing the information you need for ordering and working with the material.
Mathematical skills: Welding is a trade that requires precise numbers. Equipment calibration is vital knowledge and it is also math-based.
Knowledge of various welding techniques: The best welders have a good knowledge of different welding methods.
The most common are MIG (metal inert gas), TIG (tungsten inert gas), stick and flux-core, but some employers or industries may require more specialized skills.
Ability to perform related fabrication tasks: Welders are meant to have a good knowledge of torch-cutting, grinding, beveling, simple soldering and brazing.
Good knowledge of these skills is indispensable in becoming a welder that is sought after.
Strong interpersonal skills: o work with other tradespeople, project managers, suppliers and clients, you need to be able to communicate efficiently.
Having an approachable manner in your interactions will set you up as someone others want to work with again.
Attention to detail: In welding, small flaws can make a big impact, even to the point of causing a weld to fail completely. Therefore, having an eye for minute detail is crucial.
A good work ethic: Just as with any job, welding is such that requires commitment. A good work ethic is one of the strongest personal qualities you can bring to the table.
What are your thoughts about these welding schools in Alaska? Please share your thoughts below.
Reference:
vocationaltraining.com: https://www.vocationaltraininghq.com/welding-schools-alaska/