Online Welding Courses: Are They Worth It?

Finding work as a welder can be challenging, especially when you do not have the proper certifications.

To weld on a professional level, you will need to take a class in order to get certified. Welding classes can be taken online if desired.

Are online welding courses worth it? Online welding courses are worth it. If it is most convenient for you, you will be able to take steps toward obtaining your welding certification behind the screen of your computer. Online welding courses, however, do lack the hands-on experience that you may get from an in-person welding class.

When it comes to taking an online welding course, there are a lot of factors to consider in order to decide if it is worth it for you or not.

Today, we will be going over all the options and breaking down the pros and cons of this type of education.

How to start Online welding course?

Welders use their knowledge and skills in order to bind metals like brass, aluminum, and stainless steel together to create, build, and design things that we depend on, like automobiles, trains, planes, boats, buildings and other facilities we use often.

Factors to Consider Before Enrolling in an Online Welding Course:

• Do you really want to become a welder?
• Are you willing to put time into independent study?
• Are you ok with missing out on the hands-on aspect of welding courses?

Make Sure to Find an Accredited Course

Taking online courses in any field is convenient and allows you to do the coursework on your own time and from the comfort of your own home.

Online schooling can get you started in the right direction.

You can even get hands-on training in welding from a community college, tutor, or someone certified in welding as well.

When looking for an online welding course, it is necessary to find one that is accredited. 

Accredited means that the place, person, or area of study is officially recognized or authorized.

This is incredibly important because you want your hard work to be officially recognized.

Make sure to check that the courses and school from which you plan to take your courses and become certified is accredited through the Department of Education by checking their database.

Online Welding Courses vs. In-Person Courses

With online courses, you have the benefits over taking courses from the comfort of your own home and not having the added expenses of travel back and forth to a school.

Online welding courses offer the convenience of studying from home.

In-Person courses offer on-site education and more in-depth coursework that, in the case of welding, tends to be hands-on.

The rise of online college programs and courses has enhanced people’s lives and encouraged education at any age or stage of life.

However, there is something to be said for in-person courses that give a chance for classroom discussions and debates and learning what not to do while making mistakes in a safe environment with an instructor.

Benefits and Drawbacks of Online Welding Courses

There are many reasons why people choose online courses over traditional college courses on campus, however, as previously stated, there are positives and negatives for each.

Benefits of online welding courses:

• Convenient
• Flexible
• Reduced Cost
• Little to no commute

There are many advantages when it comes to online courses, but, in the case of welding, choosing an online course can hinder the student’s learning because they are not receiving the hands-on training for this practical trade skill.

There is also the added danger of taking a non-accredited course that wastes your time.

Therefore, in-person courses offered at a traditional college or trade school may be of more benefit due to the vast resources offered, the hands-on practice available, and the on-site counseling to find a job, apprenticeship, and aid in certification after your coursework is completed.

Just like online courses, in-person welding courses have advantages and disadvantages as well.

Benefits of in-person welding courses:

• Hands-On Coursework
• Known Accreditation
• Help with post-grad jobs and apprenticeships
• Can help build strong interpersonal relationships

In-person welding courses offer a variety of advantages; the most useful advantage is the hands-on coursework. However, some of the drawbacks are that it can be financially hard for someone that is unemployed and uncertified. Theres also the issue of traveling back and forth to a school/course each day.

Some people rely on the convenience and comfort of working at home because of the lack of opportunity to leave. For instance, non-traditional students sometimes have children or parents at home that they care for and prefer the online course because of it.

What is Taught in an Online Welding Course?

Most welding certification courses are about eight weeks long with extensive syllabuses in everything a future welder needs including the Fundamentals in Reading Schematics, Basic Math, Oxyfuel Operations, and many more.

There are also more advanced courses such as Pipe Welding and Metal Arcing offered as courses for welding certification.

You can take courses to become a CWI, or Certified Welding Inspector, which takes an extensive amount of training – just as much if not more so than a regular welder.

What is Taught in an Online Welding Course?

• Basics and Fundamentals of Welding
• Mathematics
• Reading a Schematic
• Reading a Blueprint
• Welding Safety
• Welding Principles

During online courses in welding, students will have reading material, instructional videos, and the option of a teleconference with an AWS (American Welding Society) certified welding instructor.

They are also given 24/7 access to their courses, correspondence with instructors, and materials needed for assignments and testing.

For example, the American Welding Society’s website offers eight-week courses as well as instructor-led seminars, certification and recertification exams, industry resources, a video podcast, and many other ways to stay educated and up to date on all that is happening in your courses and in the welding world.

Online courses are beneficial especially with the added convenience of 24/7 access to materials and coursework as well as the reduced cost.

As the educational world improves online education, so do courses of study, such as welding and other reputable trades.

Can You Get Certified With Online Welding Courses?

Getting certified through an online accredited school is not entirely possible for trades like welding that requires a hands-on examination, but it is a good start to getting certified.

After enrolling yourself into an accredited welding certification program online and finishing the coursework, you will be expected to take an exam.

If you pass, you will receive your certification then and there and can begin the process of finding a job.

Welders who are certified can expect increased pay, more job opportunities, and a more sophisticated skill set than those who are not certified.

Certification for Welding requirements:

• Must have a High School Diploma or GED
• Enrolling in Courses online or on-site/ in-person at a college
• Passing Written/Hands-On Exam

One must keep in mind that certifications only certify a welder for a specific area of welding such as Aerospace or Automobile Assembly.

A welding examination is not like an SAT or ACT, a welder must take a different test each time.

Welders need to be certified in specific welding codes; these codes are used for Aerospace, Automotive, Pipelines, Oil Drilling and Refining, and Manufacturing.

There are different aspects to each so each Welder must be certified for each one they desire to work in.

On the bright side, you don’t have to pass all welding code certifications to begin your new career.

However, if you wish to work in more than one area of welding, it is necessary to continue your education and training. 

To conclude, online welding courses are completely worth it to begin your welding career, but they are not all that you will need to be certified in your trade.