List of Welding Schools & Classes in North Carolina [Updated]
North Carolina’s many welding program options allow students from all backgrounds to learn the high-demand trade. Community colleges and technical schools in the state offer affordable and fast certificates and degrees.
Welding is one of the fastest growing trades in America, and North Carolina’s workforce relies heavily on welders. The state has a diverse economy with many different options for entry-level welders.
After completing a certificate or degree program, welders in North Carolina can find employment in large and industrial cities like Charlotte, or smaller communities scattered across the state.
Regardless of your specific career goals, the following welding programs at North Carolina’s two-year colleges will prepare you for success in a range of industries.
Make sure to visit school websites for updated information on tuition and enrollment.
- Andrew Pearce (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 192 Pages - 02/02/2021 (Publication Date) - Fox Chapel Publishing (Publisher)
1) Wilson Community College
- Type: Welding
- Classes: SMAW, GTAW, GMAW
- Price: Contact for tuition information
- Website: https://www.wilsoncc.edu/academics/industrial-technologies/welding-technology/
- Telephone: (252) 246-1334
- Location: 4815 Ward Blvd. Wilson, NC 27893
Wilson Community College offers diplomas and certificates in welding technology. The school is dedicated to providing quality welding instruction.
In 2019, the college unveiled its state-of-the-art Lee Technology Center, which is the home of the welding department. College leaders are making plans for future expansions to the building.
Welding students at Wilson Community College learn SMAW, GTAW, GMAW, cutting processes, blueprint reading, fabrication, and inspection. Math skills required for welding are also reviewed.
2) Randolph Community College
- Type: Welding
- Classes: SMAW, GMAW, GTAW
- Price: Contact for tuition information
- Website: https://www.randolph.edu/academics/college-majors/welding-technology/index.aspx
- Telephone: (336) 328-1756
- Location: 110 Park Dr. Archdale, NC 27263
Randolph Community College offers welding certificates and diplomas. The college is an American Welding Society accredited testing center. This means that you can complete your entire welding education from start to finish all in one location.
The welding department is located in Randolph Community College’s Archdale Center. The facility opened in 2011 and includes 33 welding booths.
The college is fully equipped to train and test future welders.
Students can choose from a one-year certificate program or a diploma. Both options cover basic welding processes, cutting, math, symbols, and inspection.
Diploma students can choose from day or evening classes to fit their schedules.
3) McDowell Tech Community College
- Type: Welding
- Classes: GTAW, SMAW, GMAW
- Price: Contact for tuition information
- Website: https://mcdowelltech.edu/academic-degree-programs/welding-technology/
- Telephone: (828) 652-0689
- Location: 54 College Dr. Marion, NC 28752
McDowell Tech Community College or MTCC offers a welding technology program that is suitable for everyone. Students can choose to complete a one-year certificate or a 2-year diploma.
Certificate-seekers can expect to learn welding basics like GMAW, SMAW, GTAW, and cutting processes. Diploma students learn these skills as well as fabrication, reading symbols, and advanced cutting skills, and math.
4) PIT Instruction & Training
- Type: Welding
- Classes: SMAW, GTAW, GMAW, FCAW
- Price: $3,000-$4,000
- Website: https://www.visitpit.com/pit-weld-u
- Telephone: (704) 799-3869
- Location: 133 Byers Creek Rd. Suite C. Mooresville, NC 28117
PIT Instruction & Training offers pit crew classes and welding workshops. Class options at this facility include a full welding program and hobbyist workshops.
The welding program covers welding processes, cutting processes, symbol reading and more. Workshops cover unique topics that can be practiced at home, like art welding.
Workshops are available on weekends for beginner through advanced welders.
Because PIT trains pit crew members, the school’s full welding program emphasizes motorsports fabrication. If this is an area that interests you, make sure to reach out the PIT directly for more information.
5) Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College
- Type: Welding
- Classes: SMAW, GTAW, GMAW
- Price: Contact for tuition information
- Website: https://abtech.edu/programs/academic/welding-technology
- Telephone: (828) 298-7900
- Location: 340 Victoria Rd. Asheville, NC 28801
Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College, or A-B Tech, offers certificate, diploma, and associate degree options for welders.
The certificate program is best for those who want to enter the workforce quickly. At only 15 credits, students learn the basics of welding. SMAW, GMAW, GTAW, and cutting processes are covered.
The diploma track includes 38 credits and includes the welding processes listed above, CAD, and symbol reading.
Finally, the associate of applied science degree in welding technology provides the most comprehensive welding education. The 72 credit program builds on the certificate and diploma.
Students learn welding processes, advanced cutting processes, symbols, machining, fabrication, and inspection. Writing skills and basic physics round out the AAS degree.
6) Wake Tech
- Type: Welding
- Classes: SMAW, FCAW, GMAW, GTAW
- Price: Contact for tuition information
- Website: https://www.waketech.edu/programs-courses/credit/welding-technology
- Telephone: (919) 866-5794
- Location: multiple locations
Wake Tech is the largest two-year college in North Carolina. The school serves 70,000 students and offers over 250 certificate, diploma, and associate degree programs.
The welding program at Wake Tech covers all the basic welding processes an entry-level welder needs to know. Pipe welding, cutting, testing, fabrication, math, and reading are other skills covered in the welding program.
More information about tuition and enrollment can be found on Wake Tech’s website.
7) Fayetteville Technical Community College
- Type: Welding
- Classes: SMAW, GMAW, GTAW
- Price: Contact for tuition information
- Website: https://www.faytechcc.edu/academics/engineering-applied-technology-programs/welding-technology/
- Telephone: (910) 678-8460
- Location: 2201 Hull Rd. Fayetteville, NC 28303
Fayetteville Technical Community College, or FTCC, is a public institution offering two-year degrees.
The welding program at FTCC covers GMAW, GTAW and SMAW processes. Plasma-arc cutting, blueprint reading, and robotic welding are also taught.
8) Forsyth Tech Community College
- Type: Welding
- Classes: SMAW, FCAW, GTAW, GMAW
- Price: Contact for tuition information
- Website: https://www.forsythtech.edu/courses-programs/degrees/programs-a-z/welding-technology/
- Telephone: (336) 734-7991
- Location: 2100 Silas Creek Pkwy. Winston-Salem, NC 27103
Forsyth Tech Community College, or Forsyth Tech, offers certificate, diploma, and associate programs in welding technology.
The certificate program is 18 credits and includes cutting, symbol reading, SMAW, GTAW, GMAW, and FCAW classes.
For more comprehensive instruction, students can pursue an associate of applied science in welding technology. Skills learned include welding processes, advanced cutting processes, pipe welding, CAD, math, and writing.
AAS students are also required to complete electives.
Day and evening options are offered.
9) James Sprunt Community College
- Type: Welding
- Classes: SMAW, FCAW, GTAW, GMAW
- Price: Contact for tuition information
- Website: https://jamessprunt.edu/academics/programs/welding-technology-diploma/
- Telephone: (910) 296-2400
- Location: 133 James Sprunt Dr. Kenansville, NC 28349
James Sprunt Community College opened as an academy for boys in 1784. The school has gone through centuries of evolution to become what it is today.
The school offers certificate and diploma options for welders. The certificate program includes SMAW, pipe welding, cutting processes, and symbol reading.
Welders seeking further education can complete the diploma program. This includes classes in writing, math, GMAW, GTAW, FCAW, and more.
10) Lenoir Community College
- Type: Welding
- Classes: SMAW, GTAW
- Price: Contact for tuition information
- Website: https://www.lenoircc.edu/programsofstudy/welding/
- Telephone: (252) 527-6223
- Location: 231 Hwy 58 S. Kinston, NC 28502
Lenoir Community College offers certificate, diploma, and associate degree programs. The welding technology program covers GTAW, SMAW, oxy-fuel cutting, plasma arc cutting, blueprint and symbol reading, inspection and more.
11) Mayland Community College
- Type: Welding
- Classes: SMAW, GMAW, GTAW
- Price: Contact for tuition information
- Website: https://www.mayland.edu/degrees-programs/welding-technology/
- Telephone: (828) 765-7351
- Location: Newland, Spruce Pine, Burnsville locations
Mayland Community College offers certificates and diplomas in welding technology.
Certificate students learn cutting, symbols, SMAW, GMAW, and GTAW. The diploma option covers these skills as well as pipe welding, metallurgy, and math.