List of Welding Schools & Classes in California
In the past couple of decades, interest in trade careers was on the decline. This left the U.S. with a surplus demand for skilled workers in these trades.
Now is a perfect time to go into the workforce! Trade schools like the ones listed below are a fantastic alternative to traditional 4-year universities.
Whether you are a beginner or have been working as a welder for a few years, the institutions in California offer great opportunities.
Workshops for professionals, programs for those with zero experience, and workshops for your company’s team are all available in the state.
Varying tuitions, locations, and classes allow for opportunities for each individual. California is a great place to get started on your welding journey!
1) Welding Certification Center
- Type: Welding
- Classes: SMAW, FCAW, GTAW, GMAW and More
- Price: $49.99 – $3090 (Varies on Course and Program)
- Website: https://www.weldingcertificationcenter.com/our-school.html
- Telephone: (909) 334-2378
- Location: 2701 N. Towne Ave Unit C, Pomona, CA 91767
The Welding Certification Center is the only private welding school in LA County that is licensed to operate by the State of California, the Bureau of Private Postsecondary Education.
This institution is designed to help students reach their welding goals by providing hands-on experience and crucial welding knowledge. This school offers a variety of courses and workshops for students at any skill level – whether you have zero experience or you have had time to receive professional instruction before.
They also work with student schedules and offer comprehensive, highly structured college-level classes. They believe in being transparent with their students, so check out their course listings to see the costs!
2) Welding Center
- Type: Welding
- Classes: Beginner, Structural, Certs and Custom Programs
- Price: Varies With Certs, Contact Institution
- Website: https://weldingclass.org/
- Telephone: (909) 476-4149
- Location: 9216 Center Ave, Suite 103, Rancho Cucamonga, CA 91730
The Welding Skills Test and Training Center is a great fit for those who need introductory courses or brush-up workshops. This center also offers a “build-your-own” program that fits the student’s personal requirements.
They also offer 2-5 day programs that are designed for experienced welders who need to get their certifications – the classes are geared toward welding professionals who need fast-tracked training.
Students can choose a full training program or a 1-week beginner workshop, so this center is really for anyone interested in welding.
The classes are mostly hands-on with 75% of the program being hands-on and 25% lecture. The Welding Skills Test and Training Center provides prices depending on the certifications you need.
3) Cal-Trade Welding School
- Type: Welding
- Classes: Combination, MIG/TIG, Structural and Pipeline
- Price: $6,912.50 – $12,525
- Website: https://www.myarkansasweldingschool.com/
- Telephone: (209) 523-0753
- Location: 24 Kansas Ave, Modesto, CA 95351
Cal-Trade Welding School offers a multitude of courses including but not limited to combination welding, blueprint reading, and AWS Inspector classes.
They provide their students with up-to-date job openings when they have completed the course; the school maintains a list of known vacancies and helps students obtain interviews!
The website provides limited information but they encourage prospective students to contact them via phone or comment box (found on their website).
4) SoCal Welding Institute
- Type: Welding
- Classes: Workshops, Stick, MIG/TIG, and More
- Price: Contact for pricing information
- Website: http://www.socalwelding.com/
- Telephone: (951) 536-3809
- Location: 32081 Corydon St, Lake Elsinore, CA 92530
SoCal Welding Institute is an AWS accredited testing facility and California state-approved welding school. They offer hands-on, individualized training for every student and have open sign-up, which means you can start at any time.
Their goal is to meet industry workforce needs so you will be prepared for the field upon completion of their course. They also offer a fast-track option for students who want to enter the workforce as soon as possible.
One thing to keep in mind before applying is that proof of the COVID-19 vaccination is required at the time of enrollment.
5) The Fab School
- Type: Welding
- Classes: MIG/TIG, Advanced, Automotive, Bending, Notching and More
- Price: $31,500
- Website: https://www.thefabschool.com/
- Telephone: (877) 411-9353
- Location: 9571 Pittsburgh Ave, Rancho Cucamonga, CA 91730
The Fab School is a one-stop shop for those who want certifications in metal fabrication and welding. The Fundamentals of Fabrication program requires 728 clock hours and they offer a couple of different times to best accommodate their students: the day courses allow for graduation in six months and the night courses allow for graduation in 11 months.
The fabrication program’s curriculum is accelerated while still embracing the hands-on approach to welding. The skills you learn in this course apply across various industries.
Students participate in a series of projects that will help them apply their skills – these projects are specifically designed to “ensure students are repeatedly utilizing the entire curriculum” and building their expertise on skills learned on day one!
6) CTM Welding
- Type: Welding
- Classes: SMAW, FCAW, GMAW and GTAW
- Price: $250 – 4,000
- Website: https://ctmwelding.com/
- Telephone: (714) 577-9353
- Location: 1345 North Dynamics Street, Anaheim, CA 92806
CTM Welding offers courses and training for all experience levels and refresher workshops for those who are looking to take the LADBS (LA City) Certified Welder Performance Test. The workshops are designed to help you pass the written test.
The school combines lab training with classroom lectures to ensure a well-balanced program. If you are looking for a place to receive certifications and nothing else, this place is for you.
CTM Welding also offer tests for those who are already working as professional welders.
7) Central Valley Opportunity Center
- Type: Welding
- Classes: Arc, MIG/TIG, Safety, Plasma Cutting and More
- Price: $7,590
- Website: https://www.cvoc.org/
- Telephone: (209) 357-0062
- Location: 6838 Bridget Ct. Winton, CA 95388
The Central Valley Opportunity Center (CVOC), Inc. is a non-profit employment training and service provider. Its mission statement is to “provide employment, skills training, education, and emergency services to improve the quality of life for farm workers and underserved members in our communities.”
CVOC offers a course in Welding and Industrial Maintenance that covers entry-level skills that are necessary for welding and metal-working occupations. The course is mostly hands-on experience and teaches students the basic skills of the welding trade.
Their course covers Gas and Oxyacetylene cutting and welding, electric arc welding, layout and blueprint reading, and more. Instruction is given via demonstrations, hands-on participation, handouts, lectures, videotapes, and workbook assignments. The course is 770 clock hours (about 22 weeks).
8) American Fabrication Academy
- Type: Welding
- Classes: MIG/TIG, Plasma Cutting, Notching, Bending and More
- Price: Contact for pricing information
- Website: https://americanfabricationacademy.com/
- Telephone: (951) 279-9353
- Location: 1781 Capital St Suite H & I, Corona, CA 92880
The American Fabrication Academy is a state-of-the-art school that specializes in metal fabrication and welding. The school has small class sizes which allow for a hands-on, stress-free learning experience.
All of the instructors at the Academy have AWS certifications, years of fabrication school teaching experience, and over 20 years of metal fabrication experience. Since the school has small class sizes, hands-on experience and equipment availability are guaranteed.
Their program requires 600 clock hours and offers career services such as lifetime job placement assistance, resume writing, and job interview preparation.