Welding comes with creativity, and a satisfying joy comes when your creative idea is brought to life, whether it’s construction as simple as crafting coat hooks, pot racks, smokers, etc. Or advancing your creativity to constructing motorcycle frames, machine parts, custom brackets, custom gates, and pressure vessels. Or even joining some other construction team in creating bridges, ship building repairs, heavy machinery components, airplanes, etc.
But, what usually hinders some passionate, aspiring welders is the cost of getting into this career. But don’t worry my friend, because there are a handful of affordable and free welding classes in Georgia.
These classes will benefit you whether you’re a passionate high school student seeking to enter a quick career path, a seasoned professional looking for a career change, or just someone who loves the idea of bringing molten substances to life.
Speaking of molten substances, you can even enroll in one of the best bladesmithing schools in the country, and, if you want to try other welding schools in other states Texas offers some reputable schools.
Free Welding Classes in Georgia
1. North Georgia Technical College – Welding Technology
- Location:
- Currahee Campus: 9238 Highway 17 South, Toccoa, Georgia 30577
- Blairsville Campus: 121 Meeks Avenue, Blairsville, Georgia 30512
- Clarkesville Campus: 1500 Hwy 197 N, Clarkesville, Georgia 30523
NGTC’s Welding diploma and degree programs are designed to help you transition from entry-level to management positions. The length of the program depends on whether you chose an associate degree, diploma, or certificate program.
Also, your chosen program may be eligible for 100% tuition coverage, making your entire training free.
2. Technical College System of Georgia – Welding and Joining Technology
- Location: 1800 Century Place N.E. Suite 400, Atlanta, GA 30345
Through the Hope Career Grant, TCSG offers tuition-free programs in 18 in-demand career opportunities including Welding and Joining Technology, this opportunity makes this program among the free welding classes in Georgia. However, to be eligible for the HOPE Career Grant, you must first qualify for and be receiving the HOPE Grant.
Besides the fact that you need to be a citizen of the U.S., a legal resident of Georgia, and other basic requirements to be eligible for this grant, you don’t need to enroll full-time in a certificate or diploma program. Also, you’re not required to graduate from high school with a specific GPA, however, you must have a postsecondary cumulative GPA of 2.0, at certain checkpoints, to maintain eligibility.
The Welding and Joining Technology program will teach both the theoretical and hands-on training necessary for successful employment.
3. Goodwill of North Georgia
- Location: 2201 Lawrenceville Hwy, Suite 300, Decatur, GA 30033
This Welding Certification Program by Goodwill of North Georgia is totally free for eligible applicants. It was created and made free to help people get jobs, which is aligned with one of their missions of “putting people to work.”
Also, as a non-profit organization that receives money from the community, this free welding class in GA plus other programs is their way of giving back to the community.
This program only takes 6 to 12 weeks to complete and graduates will become Industry-Recognized American Welding Society Certified Welders and will earn OSHA, and CPR/First Aid credentials.
The program will teach you welding safety, Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW), Flux Cored Arc Welding (FCAW), Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW), etc. You’ll also gain virtual and hands-on experience.
Now we have listed the only three free welding classes in Georgia, let’s list some of the very affordable ones, which give you more options.
Affordable Welding Classes in Georgia
Before we list these classes we would love to remind you that just because they are low-cost doesn’t mean they don’t provide excellent education. Most schools providing these classes get extra financial help from the government and community which helps them reduce the cost of your classes.
That said, let’s get started.
4. Gwinnett Technical College – Welding and Joining Technology
- Location:
- Alpharetta-North Fulton Campus: 2875 Old Milton Parkway, Alpharetta, GA 30009
- Lawrenceville Campus: 5150 Sugarloaf Parkway, Lawrenceville, GA 30043
The cost for enrolling in this program is $100 per credit hour which is a lot more affordable especially when compared to private welding schools. Also, you can apply for scholarships, and financial aid which will help offset the cost even further.
Depending on your choice, this program can lead to an Associate of Applied Science degree or a diploma. You’ll learn how to join metal parts through coalescence (melting base metal), fill seams and holes of metal components, follow and maintain knowledge of safety protocol, and many other lessons.
5. Corrina Sephora Studios – Basic Welding Course
- Location: 1557 Davis Ave, Atlanta, GA, 30344
Even though this program is not guaranteed to provide a well-paying welding career, it’s one of the best ways to dip your toes into welding without a significant financial commitment. It’s one of the most affordable welding classes in Georgia that costs $50 to enroll.
This class will teach you basic techniques using Oxy Acetylene and MIG welders.
6. Corrina Sephora Studios – Advanced Welding Course
- Location: 1557 Davis Ave, Atlanta, GA, 30344
Once you have taken the basic welding course you can move to this $50 advanced welding class (parts 1 & 2). The course will teach you MIG welding with the 220 welders as well as TIG welding. The downside is the course is online, which might not give you the hands-on experience you need.
7. Chattahoochee Technical College – Welding and Joining Technology
- Location: 980 South Cobb Drive, Marietta, GA 30060
This program is worth $100 per credit hour for in-state students and you will be undertaking your classes and training in a world-class welding lab with a curriculum that matches industry expectations. The program will train you in shielding metal arc, oxyacetylene, tungsten inert gas, metallic inert gas, oxyfuel gas cutting, plasma arc cutting, and gouging. The class will be focusing more on hands-on practice.
Also, the program is eligible for the HOPE Career Grant which makes it possible to get your fees reduced even further.
8. Georgia Piedmont Technical College – Welding and Joining Technology
- Location: 495 North Indian Creek Drive, Clarkston, GA 30021
This is another technical college that charges $100 per credit hour for their welding program making it one of the most affordable welding programs in Georgia. Program graduates receive a Welding and Joining Technology diploma, have the qualifications of a welding and joining technician, and are prepared to take qualification tests.
Note: These community or technical colleges that charge $100 per credit hour for tuition don’t mean it’s the only cost you’ll pay for. You still have fees like registration fees, room and board, technology fees, insurance, and others.
Now we’ve listed both the affordable and free welding classes in Georgia, let’s see some of the career opportunities waiting for you after graduation.
Career Opportunities in Welding
Here are some of the many career opportunities in welding in Georgia:
- Pipe Welder
- Structural Iron and Steel Welder
- Gas Tungsten Arc Welder
- Shielded Metal Arc Welder
- Gas Metal Arc Welding
- Maintenance Welder
- Production Welder
Graduates of the Welding Technology program may work in a variety of fields including:
- Aerospace
- Aviation
- Construction
- Shipbuilding
- Fabrication
- Fossil Fuels
- Nuclear Power generation
- Shipyards
- Transportation
- Energy
Key Takeaway
You can see that Georgia has you back in making your quest for affordable or free welding classes a dream come true. These classes can definitely help develop your skills and even kickstart your career immediately, and they will do this without breaking the bank.
You can also see that welding provides a fulfilling career path with strong earning potential and job security.
Finally, when you see a program you’re interested in, don’t hesitate to contact them to get detailed information about their curriculum, schedules, and any additional requirements.
