As the demand for welders continues to rise across the nation, there is no better time to join the bandwagon than now. The interesting part is you don’t need all the degrees to start your career the highest required degree remains an Associate Degree, and a simple certificate can still fetch you decent employment.
Texas in particular is experiencing an incredibly strong job market in this skilled trade. Moreover, enrolling in one of these welding schools in East Texas or Brownsville opens doors to working in industries that rely heavily on skilled welders to keep things running smoothly.
Besides these regions, there are still some other top Welding Schools in Texas, and Ohio also provides some top-notch welding education.
In this blog post, we won’t only list the schools in these regions but we’ll also show you how to choose the right school, and career opportunities for welders, and finally answer some valuable frequently asked questions.
How to Choose the Right Welding School
No two welding schools are the same, there is always something that makes one different from another. That’s why it’s important to know how to choose the right school for your success.
Here are some things to consider while choosing:
Program and Certificate Offered
Choosing the best school is subjective depending on your goals, so it’s important to understand the type of welding you need, then see if the school provides it.
Faculty Expertise and Class Size
It’s necessary to consider the experience and competence of the faculty, you need a school where most – perhaps all – of their instructors are well-experienced in welding. The bright side is instructors in these welding schools in East Texas & Brownsville we provided are competent.
You should also consider the class size, the smaller the size the better learning.
Facilities and Equipment
Ensure the school has up-to-date equipment and well-maintained practice areas.
Financial Aid and Costs
Everybody’s pocket is not the same, you should consider the cost of attending and know if you can be eligible for their financial aid options like scholarships, grants, and veteran benefits.
Location
You should also consider location, how far is the school from home, are you willing to sacrifice such a trip. We provided the exact address of these schools to help you easily decide on this.
Once you’ve gone through your options don’t hesitate to contact the school you’re interested in.
Let’s now go ahead to first list the welding colleges in East Texas.
Welding Schools in East Texas
1. Tyler Junior College, TJC Welding Technology
- Location: 1400 E 5th St, Tyler, TX 75701
- Tuition: Depends on the program and length of it.
At TJC you’ll be grounded with the solid fundamentals of industrial welding processes with an emphasis on layout and design. You’ll be focusing on training like welding processes, blueprint reading, welding procedures, welding metallurgy, pipe welding, plate welding, pipe fitting, etc.
Also, TJC is among the welding schools in East Texas that allows you to choose from their AAS in Welding Technology, their Welding Technology Advanced Level Option (Certificate), or their Welding Technology Entry Level Option (Certificate). Another interesting thing is that TJC provides an Online Certification program in Welding Technician.
2. Angelina College, Welding Technology
- Location: 3500 S First St, Lufkin, TX 75901, USA
Angelina College provides an Associate of Applied Science in Welding Technology which is designed to prepare students for careers in the welding industry. Their welding program is categorized into three (3) certificates
- Level 1 Certificate in Welding Technology – Basic
- Level 2 Certificate in Welding Technology – Intermediate
- Level 2 Certificate in Advanced Welding Technology
Also, the school goes further to provide financial aid through the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) application.
3. Arclabs Welding School
- Location: 9510 North Houston Rosslyn Road Houston, TX 77088
Yes, I know you’ll be wondering if Houston is typically in East Texas, but it’s the location Arclabs Welding School has listed for serving the East Texas area. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced welder there is a program for you at Arclabs Welding School which focuses on hands-on training (up to 95%).
Also, there is financial aid for eligible candidates which can be used to reduce the cost of education. When you graduate there is a program to help you find welding careers easily.
4. Kilgore College – Welding Technology
- Locations:
- Kilgore Campus: 1100 Broadway Kilgore, Texas 75662
- Longview Campus: 300 South High Street Longview, Texas 75601
Just like other welding schools in East Texas that we’ve listed so far, Kilgore College provides AAS in Welding Technology, Advanced Welding Certificate, and Basic Welding Certificate. The basic program only takes one semester to complete, and you’ll be focusing on Blueprint Reading and Sketching, Welding Fundamentals, Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW), etc.
In the advanced class, you’ll be learning welding metallurgy, pipe welding, etc, and you’ll be going on an internship. As for the AAS program, you’ll start from the basic topics and progress to advanced topics which will take two years to complete.
5. Texas State Technical College (TSTC)
- Location: East End Blvd., South Marshall, TX 75672
Participating in the AAS in Welding Technology program at TSTC means you’ll be sitting in a small class and be trained in subjects like Blueprint Reading, SMAW and GTAW Welding, Layout and Fabrication, Liquid Penetrant and Magnetic Particle Testing, etc.
Now we’ve listed the welding colleges in East Texas, let’s see those in Brownsville TX.
Welding Schools in Brownsville TX
6. Super Welders Academy
- Location: 3270 Ruben M Torres Blvd, Brownsville, TX
This welding school Brownsville TX believes a lot in learning by doing which made them create all their programs to be 90% or more hands-on training.
All their prerequisite courses are needful, and the few number of time you’ll spend in the classroom will be used to only teach welding-related topics. This will help you to complete their program quickly, some can be done in as little as two months, allowing you to enter the workforce faster.
Super Welders Academy provides a 1,300-hour complete program that comprises all four processes: GMAW, SMAW, FCAW, and GTAW.
7. Allied Skills Training Center
- Location: 795 Paredes Line Rd. Ste. A Brownsville TX. 78521
Since its inception, this school has been helping individuals with the skills needed to succeed in technical fields. To accommodate both beginner and experienced welders, their courses are designed to meet the needs of all types of learners.
This is among the welding schools in Brownsville that allows you to choose whether to enroll in Combination Welding, Pipe Welding, TIG Welding, or Fitter Metal Fabricator.
8. Texas Southmost College – Welding
- Location: 301 Mexico Blvd. Brownsville, TX 78520
TSC provides a handful of workforce training programs beyond only welding which are designed to equip students with the skills and knowledge needed to thrive in today’s competitive job market. This welding school Brownsville TX allows you to enroll in its Combo Welding Program, Pipefitting, or Structural Welding.
Career Opportunities for Welders in East Texas and Brownsville
Here are some of the career opportunities that can easily be found in East Texas
- Oil & Gas: East Texas is a region with a booming oil and gas industry which will mostly benefit pipe welders.
- Construction: This is another area that is growing in East Texas which will mostly benefit structural welders.
- Manufacturing: there is also the manufacturing industry that will benefit sheet metal workers and welding machine operators
- Maintenance and Repair: Welders are always needed to maintain and repair work in different industries like power plants, refineries, and chemical processing facilities. This is also applicable to residents of Brownsville TX.
Etc.
Here are some welding opportunities in Brownsville, Texas waiting for graduates
- Manufacturing Industry: there are opportunities for welders in sectors like automotive parts, appliances, or electronics.
- Construction Industry: this industry will need welders in projects like residential, commercial, and industrial developments.
- Cross-Border Collaboration: Due to the location of Brownsville it also creates opportunities for welders to work on projects in both the US and Mexico
Here are some of the additional considerations for career opportunities.
- Specialized Welding: when you decide to progress in your training like focusing on underwater welding or hyperbaric welding, you’ll see more opportunities and command a higher salary.
- Non-Destructive Testing (NDT): you can also decide to go further to be certified in NDT, which opens the door to inspecting welds for defects using specialized techniques.
You can also research your local job market for more career options.
Key Takeaway
You have seen that welding is a rewarding path for both newly graduated high school students and those looking to change their careers. Enrolling in one of the welding schools in East Texas or Brownsville even spices up your decision.
We believe we’ve provided you with the needed guide to join the right school. Don’t forget that everything boils down to goals, learning style, and also budget.
FAQs
How much do welders typically earn?
The amount welders earn varies, but according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual wage for welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers was $41,740.
Are there any specific industries that hire a lot of welders in East Texas?
The presence of oil and gas industries in East Texas makes it possible for lots of pipe welders to be hired. Also, the construction, manufacturing, and shipbuilding industries are in demand for welders.
Does the climate in Brownsville make welding more difficult?
We understand that the hot and humid climate in Brownsville can make work outdoors unconducive, however, many workplaces are air-conditioned or offer shade for working outdoors.
