List of Welding Schools & Classes in Pennsylvania [Updated]

Pennsylvania’s historical and modern economies support a tradition of welding and related trades. Pennsylvania is one of several states that make up America’s “Rust Belt.” These states had economies built on large-scale manufacturing. 

In the early 20th century, states in what is now called the Rust Belt thrived. However, as new demand and technologies started to replace old ones, manufacturing states could not evolve quickly enough. 

Pennsylvania’s economy may look much different from a century ago, but manufacturing and related processes still make up an important part of the state’s output.

Welders living in Pennsylvania can find educational and employment opportunities in all four corners of the state. From Pittsburgh to Philadelphia, schools and companies are interested in training and hiring the next generation of welding professionals. 

The following list includes the best places to begin your welding career this year. They offer fast, affordable welding programs that prepare students for success. 

SaleBestseller No. 1

Farm and Workshop Welding, Third Revised Edition: Everything You Need to Know to Weld, Cut, and Shape...

Buy on Amazon

1) Welder Training & Testing Institute

• Type: Welding
• Classes: SMAW, GMAW, GTAW, FCAW
• Price: Contact for tuition information
• Website: https://www.wtti.edu/advanced-welding-technique-courses/
• Telephone: (610) 437-9720
• Location: 729 E. Highland St. Allentown, PA 18109

Welder Training & Testing Institute opened in 1968 and has been educating generations of welders ever since. The school covers career-level programs and technique courses that suit a range of skill levels. 

The current career-level program offered at the institute trains students as welder-fitters. This 900-hour program covers SMAW, GMAW, GTAW, and FCAW processes. 

Plate and pipe welding, metallurgy, welding joints, blueprints, and symbols are also introduced. 

Technique courses are ideal for welders who are already in the workforce but need additional training. These courses cover advanced SMAW, GMAW, GTAW, and FCAW techniques. Pipe welding is also offered. 

2) Triangle Tech

• Type: Welding
• Classes: GMAW, GTAW 
• Price: Contact for tuition information
• Website: https://triangle-tech.edu/programs/welding-fabrication-technology
• Telephone: (800) 874-8324
• Location: Pittsburgh, Greensburg, DuBois, Sunbury, Bethlehem, and Chambersburg locations

Triangle Tech is a school with many convenient locations and a fast-paced welding program. Students can earn their welding certification in as little as 16 months. 

Welding students can choose to specialize in welding and fabrication technology or industrial and structural welding. 

Welding and fabrication students learn GMAW, GTAW, and arc welding processes. Emphasis is placed on metallurgy, inspection, pipe fitting, and pipe welding. 

The industrial and structural welding option introduces students to GTAW, GMAW, arc welding, fabrication, blueprint reading, codes, and layouts. 

3) Institute of Medical & Business Careers (IMBC)

• Type: Welding
• Classes: GTAW, GMAW
• Price: Contact for tuition information
• Website: https://imbc.edu/program/welding-technology/
• Telephone: (855) 773-0758
• Location: 5739 W. 25th St. Erie, PA 16506

The Institute of Medical & Business Careers, or IMBC, opened its Erie campus in 2015. The school offers a 6-week welding technology diploma that allows students to enter the workforce quickly.

Skills learned in the program include GMAW, GTAW, pipe welding, structural welding, testing, and quality control practices. 

More information on enrollment and tuition can be found on IMBC’s website or by contacting the school directly. 

4) Rosedale Technical College

• Type: Welding
• Classes: SMAW, GTAW, GMAW, FCAW 
• Price: Contact for pricing information
• Website: https://rosedaletech.edu/programs/welding-technician/
• Telephone: (412) 521-6200
• Location: 215 Beecham Dr. Pittsburgh, PA 15205

Rosedale Technical College opened in 1949. The school offers a welding program that can be completed in less than 8 months. 

Welding students learn fundamental welding processes, cutting techniques, print reading, fabrication, and metallurgy. Rosedale also offers a pipe welding class to prepare students for various work scenarios. 

5) New Castle School of Trades (NCST)

• Type: Welding
• Classes: GTAW, GMAW, SMAW
• Price: Contact for tuition information
• Website: https://www.ncstrades.edu/new-castle-programs/combination-welding/
• Telephone: (724) 788-4417
• Location: 4117 Pulaski Rd. New Castle, PA 16101

New Castle School of Trades, or NCST, has been training welders since 1945. The school ranks as one of the best in Pennsylvania and Ohio. 

NCST’s 50-week welding program covers GTAW, GMAW, SMAW, and arc welding processes. Pipe welding, blueprint reading, and fabrication are also covered. 

Students have the unique opportunity to work with aluminum, stainless steel, and other metals during the learning process. 

6) Western Area Career & Technology Center

• Type: Welding
• Classes: SMAW, FCAW, GMAW, GTAW
• Price: ~$8,000-$10,000
• Website: https://www.wactc.net/programs/adult-education/
• Telephone: (724) 746-2890
• Location: 688 Western Ave. Canonsburg, PA 19130

Western Area Career & Technology Center, or WACTC, offers evening welding classes for adults. Students can choose to attend part or full time.

The program runs for 300 to 600 credit hours. Topics covered include SMAW, FCAW, GMAW, GTAW, oxy fuel cutting, pipe welding, and fabrication. 

7) Philadelphia Technician Training Institute

• Type: Welding
• Classes: SMAW, GMAW, GTAW 
• Price: Contact for tuition information
• Website: https://ptt.edu/programs/welding-technology-technician-program/
• Telephone: (215) 381-9403
• Location: 1901 W. Girard Ave. Philadelphia, PA 19130 

Philadelphia Technician Training Institute offers a 6-month welding program for all skill levels. Topics taught include SMAW, GMAW, GTAW, blueprints, and cutting processes. 

8) Clearfield County Career & Technology Center

• Type: Welding
• Classes: SMAW, GMAW, GTAW
• Price: ~$7,000 plus additional fees
• Website: https://ccctc.edu/adult-programs/programs/welding-metal-fabrication-technology/
• Telephone: (814) 765-5308
• Location: 1620 River Rd. Clearfield, PA 16830

Clearfield County Career & Technology Center opened in 1968 and serves high school students and adults. 

The school’s welding program includes classes on safety, symbols, blueprints, cutting, SMAW, GMAW, and GTAW. 

9) All State Career School

• Type: Welding
• Classes: GTAW, GMAW 
• Price: Contact for pricing information
• Website: https://www.allstatecareer.edu/programs/skilled-trades/welding.html
• Telephone: (855) 834-4580
• Location: Essington and Pittsburgh locations

All State Career School offers flexible welding classes in both Essington and Pittsburgh. 

The welding program covers GMAW and GTAW welding processes. Students also have the opportunity to participate in mock interviews and career fairs to prepare for employment.  

10) Johnson College

• Type: Welding
• Classes: GMAW, GTAW, SMAW 
• Price: Contact for tuition information
• Website: https://johnson.edu/continuingeducation/
• Telephone: (570) 702-8979
• Location: 3427 N. Main Ave Scranton, PA 18508

Johnson College has been operating since 1912. The school is a private, two-year institution that offers a quality welding program.

Welding classes include SMAW, GMAW, GTAW, metallurgy, codes, symbols, and advanced topics. 

The college partners with Earlbeck Gases & Technologies to provide welding certification for students. 

11) Central Westmoreland Career & Technology Center

• Type: Welding
• Classes: SMAW 
• Price: $450
• Website: https://www.cwctc.org/index.php/adult-education/
• Telephone: (724) 925-3532
• Location: 240 Arona Rd. New Stanton, PA 15672

Central Westmoreland Career & Technology Center offers a basic adult welding class for an affordable price. Class takes place in the evenings to accommodate work schedules. 

The class covers SMAW in flat, vertical, and horizontal positions over 40 credit hours. 

12) Greater Johnstown Career & Technology Center

• Type: Welding
• Classes: SMAW, GMAW, FCAW
• Price: Contact for pricing information
• Website: https://www.gjctc.org/Adult-Welding
• Telephone: (814) 266-6073
• Location: 445 Schoolhouse Rd. Johnstown, PA 15904

The Greater Johnstown Career & Technology Center offers classes for high schoolers and adults. The adult Career in a Year program allows adults to learn a trade and enter the workforce quickly. 

The welding program at the technology center covers SMAW, GMAW, FCAW, and oxy fuel cutting. Fabrication and blueprint reading is also included. 

13) Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology

• Type: Welding
• Classes: SMAW, GMAW, FCAW, GTAW
• Price: Contact for tuition information
• Website: https://stevenscollege.edu/welding-technology-schedule-curriculum/
• Telephone: (717) 537-0589
• Location: 750 E. King St. Lancaster, PA 17602

Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology is a two-year tech school that opened in 1905. 

The college offers a 4-semester welding certificate that teaches students SMAW, GMAW, GTAW, and FCAW processes. Metallurgy, pipe welding, and electives also make up the program. 

14) HACC (Central Pennsylvania’s Community College)

• Type: Welding
• Classes: SMAW, GMAW, GTAW 
• Price: Contact for tuition information
• Website: https://www.hacc.edu/ProgramsandCourses/Welding-0500.cfm
• Telephone: (717) 780-2300
• Location: One HACC Dr. Harrisburg, PA 17110 

HACC is also known as Central Pennsylvania’s Community College. It was the first community college to open in the state. 

Welding students at HACC can earn a diploma and certificate. GMAW, SMAW, and GTAW processes are covered. Students also learn oxy fuel cutting and blueprint reading. 

15) Lebanon County Career & Technology Center

• Type: Welding
• Classes: SMAW, GMAW, GTAW, FCAW
• Price: ~$8,000
• Website: https://www.lcctc.edu/adult-training/full-time-day/
• Telephone: (717) 273-8551
• Location: 833 Metro Dr. Lebanon, PA 17042

Lebanon County Career & Technology Center opened in 1964 and provides education for high school students and adults. 

The school’s 910-hour welding program covers all the skills needed to succeed as a welder. SMAW, GMAW, GTAW, FCAW, blueprint reading, oxy fuel cutting, fabrication, and robotic welding are covered.