List of Welding Schools & Classes in Arkansas
Welding is not a new discipline; in 1890 C.L. Coffin was awarded the first U.S. patent for an arc welding process. Since 1890, welding has grown to be one of the most sought-after jobs in the country.
Due to its popularity, there are schools and classes in every state dedicated to teaching the art and preparing students for the workforce.
Arkansas has many different institutions to choose from no matter where you live. Whether you are an Arkansas native or from out of state, there is a school for everyone.
The welding academies and institutions in Arkansas offer training in the four most in-demand welding processes: SMAW, GTAW, FCAW, and GMAW.
These processes prepare students for whatever may be thrown at them in the field.
All of the schools described below combine classroom-style learning and hands-on training to ensure the best job placement possible for their graduates!
1) Arkansas Welding Academy
- Type: Welding
- Classes: Master Pipe & Structural Welding Program
- Price: $21,810 (Supplies and Equipment Included in Price)
- Website: https://arkansasweldingacademy.edu/
- Telephone: (501) 982-9353
- Location: 1920 North Redmond Rd. Jacksonville, AR 72076
Arkansas Welding Academy is the only federally accredited welding trade school in Arkansas. It offers a Master Pipe and Structural Welding Program that is a career-focused training program.
It enables students to acquire the skills necessary to succeed in entry-level welding positions by incorporating seven lab hours per day. The program trains students on how to set up and operate welding equipment and run the four major processes: GMAW, FCAW, SMAW, and GTAW.
The program uses lectures and laboratory training to teach welding, metallurgy, and rod angles. Students who complete the program in good standing with the academy and financial aid providers earn job placement assistance and continuing education training.
2) Elite Welding Academy
- Type: Welding
- Classes: Pipe, Structural, Downhill and Pipe & Structural Programs
- Price: $7,600 – $24,100
- Website: https://arkansasewa.com/
- Telephone: (833) 354-8310
- Location: 333 Rosebud Rd, Quitman, AR 72131
The Elite Welding Academy combines individualized training with an on-the-job environment to ensure students are ready for entry-level welding positions.
The combined structural/pipe program prepares students for positions in residential, commercial, and industrial jobs. The academy offers lifetime job placement assistance for qualified graduates with lifetime brush-up benefits!
This school has a 96.8% rate of job placement for graduates as of 2020, so this is a great option for those who are looking to work in the field as quickly as possible.
3) United Welding Institute
- Type: Welding
- Classes: Variety of classes available
- Price: Contact for pricing information
- Website: https://www.myarkansasweldingschool.com/
- Telephone: (479) 370-0134
- Location: 480 Mountain Base Rd, Pottsville, AR 72858
UWI is a local institution that is owned by professional welder Johnathon Humphrey. The school offers a variety of welding opportunities for students and its graduates make $2,800 per week on average.
The website does not offer a lot of information, but they encourage prospective students to contact them via phone or email.
4) Northwest Technical Institute
- Type: Welding
- Classes: SMAW, GMAW, GTAW, and Oxy-fuel and Plasma Cutting
- Price: $6,880 (In-State)
- Website: https://nwti.edu/
- Telephone: (479) 751-8824
- Location: 709 S Old Missouri Rd, Springdale, AR 72764
The Northwest Technical Institute offers a welding technology program that includes training in the basic skills needed in the field. Students learn proper safety procedures, care and maintenance of machinery, and a variety of welding processes.
Classroom instruction is combined with laboratory assignments so that each student has the knowledge and skills necessary to be successful.
The program is two semesters long with one summer term in between and the institute has a 100% rate of job placement post-graduation!
5) Tech Career Center
- Type: Welding
- Classes: SMAW, GMAW, GTAW, Thermal Cutting, Blueprint Reading and More
- Price: $129 per credit hour (In-State) $258 per credit hour (Out-of-State)
- Website: https://www.atu.edu/careercenter/
- Telephone: (479) 667-2117
- Location: 1700 Helberg Ln. Ozark, AR 72949
The Tech Career Center is a great place for both high school and college students. The center offers dual enrollment courses and is one of the largest secondary career and technical centers in the state.
Its welding program is designed to train students in the skills necessary for entry into industrial and commercial welding positions. Students are required to take a two-part exam from the American Welding Society (AWS) in order to apply for the AWS Entry Level Welding Certification.
Students also have the opportunity to certify in shielded metal arc welding, gas metal arc welding, gas tungsten arc welding, flux core arc welding, as well as structural pipe and gas pipe welding.
Another great thing about the career center is that students living in states that border Arkansas are also eligible for in-state tuition.
6) Black River Technical College
- Type: Welding
- Classes: Combination Metal Welding Program
- Price: Contact for pricing information
- Website: https://www.blackrivertech.edu/
- Telephone: (870) 248-4000
- Location: 1410 Highway 304 East, P.O. Box 468, Pocahontas, AR 72455
Black River Technical College offers a wide variety of programs. Its combination metal welding program offers a one-year certificate in welding and provides students with practical applications of welding techniques, plus the operation and maintenance of equipment.
The program includes training in arc welding, MIG welding, and TIG welding.
Students must pass a minimum of 1 plate welding certification given in accordance with the American Welding Society Structural Welding Code, Section D1.1, and Radiographic Examination before graduating.
7) National Park College
- Type: Welding
- Classes: Combination
- Price: $90 per credit hour – $202 per credit hour (Varies by Residency)
- Website: https://np.edu/
- Telephone: (501) 760-4222
- Location: 101 College Dr. Hot Springs National Park, AR 71913
National Park College prepares students for employment with a variety of specializations, including metal fabrication, basic metallurgy, uses and applications of various types of equipment, and welding techniques.
These skills can transfer into industrial operations, privately owned shops, and personal business ownership! The program provides students with the opportunity to be certified in several welding processes that are recognized nationally.
The welding program does have an extra $10.00/credit hour fee each semester due to the lab hours. For more information on tuition and fees, prospective students should contact National Park College directly.