It’s very natural to always hear welders say they love to look back at what they have accomplished; welding is more like bringing your imagination to fruition. Welding doesn’t only improve your innovation, but it goes all the way to challenge your skills.
But let’s be honest, the cost of welding classes can be a hurdle (you will see a breakdown of the cost later in this blog).
Fear not, this blog is created to help you find affordable or maybe almost free welding classes in Philadelphia. We said almost free because there are no entirely free welding programs in Philly in the sense that they don’t charge any fees. So, what we’ll be sharing is basically affordable classes.
Moreover Georgia, California, Florida, NY, San Antonio, etc, also provide affordable welding classes.
Without much ado, let’s get started with these classes.
Affordable & Free Welding Classes in Philadelphia
As we said earlier, there are no entirely free welding classes in Philly, what is available is only affordable ones which also provide financial aid or scholarships. We will be focusing on these kinds of classes
1. Reignite Philly
- Location: 4455 N 6th St, Philadelphia, PA 19140
Reignite Philly was created for aspiring and passionate welders whose financial constraints might prevent them from advancing or starting their welding careers. Not only are their classes affordable but they provide them is a challenging yet supportive environment. Each of their programs costs $2,000 and you are free to apply for a need-based scholarship to help reduce the fees further.
Each class consists of hands-on welding and cutting training, shop math and tape measure reading, and job readiness discussions and activities. Reignite Philly welding classes run on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from 5-8 pm. Each is a 10-week, 120-hour class that focuses primarily on hands-on welding and cutting training as well as practical projects to build fabrication skills.
2. Community College of Philadelphia – Welding Technology
- Location: 1700 Spring Garden Street, Philadelphia, PA 19130
One of the interesting things about Welding Technology by CCP is that it’s not just affordable but you can complete the program within 3 months and enter the workforce to start making a decent living. They also give you the option to either choose morning or evening classes, and either of them costs $6,000 (Tuition: $5,700; Materials: $300).
There is also a payment plan to break down into 2 monthly installments, and the best part is they also provide financial aid, scholarships, and tuition assistance programs. These offerings almost make CCP seem like one of the free welding programs in Philadelphia.
I also love how Joe Lyon explained how beneficial this program was for him. You can listen to him in the video.
Alternatives to Free Welding Classes in Philadelphia
These are the only affordable welding classes in Philly. Alternatively, look for workshops around you, some of them usually offer free or low-cost welding classes. They may not really be advanced classes, but they will help to enlighten you a little bit about welding before you can commit to a more expensive, longer program.
Also, you can consider online classes, you can find some online resources that offer free and very affordable welding courses that can teach you some basics of welding. There are even some free classes from Alison that go beyond the basics. The downside is you might not get the hands-on training needed in welding through online learning.
How Much Does a Welding School Cost in Pennsylvania?
The cost varies depending on factors like type of program, program length, location, sometimes materials and equipment, and if you’re receiving financial aid or scholarships. So if you’re enrolling in a community college you should expect to pay between $3,000 to $7,000 for certificate programs and up to $15,000 for associate degrees.
If you intend to enroll in a private program you should expect to pay more. It can cost you $5,000 to $15,000 for short courses and $10,000 to over $20,000 for comprehensive programs.
As we mentioned another factor is the length of the program. Usually, a class as short as 3 months can cost between $3,000-$5,000, a 9-month course can cost between $5,000 to $10,000, whereas a 2-year degree can cost between $10,000 to over $20,000.
How Long Will It Take Me To Become a Welder in PA?
The length it will take to become a welder in Pennsylvania depends on some factors like your goals and specific certifications.
So if your goal is to get an entry-level welding career, mostly 3 months or a maximum of 1 year is good enough. But, if you aim to become an advanced welder, then you should plan for 1 to 2 years. Don’t worry you don’t need to exceed two years, and community colleges can help with this.
Likewise, if you’re aiming for a basic certificate, the period will be shorter compared to someone aiming for an advanced certificate.
Other factors that might also determine the length you spend include your previous experience, how fast you can learn, and the intensity of the program.
Key Takeaway
You can see that there are no truly free welding classes in Philadelphia, but Philly didn’t back off on you here, it still provides affordable ones that won’t break the bank. You’ve also seen that welding offers a solid career path with good earning potential, and any investment you make in your education is an investment in your future.
FAQ
Are there truly any free welding classes in Philadelphia?
There is no entirely free welding class in Philly, but there are affordable ones
What are some affordable welding programs in Philadelphia?
The only two schools that provide affordable welding programs in Philly are Reignite Philly and Community College of Philadelphia CCP.
What if I have no prior experience? Are there beginner-friendly classes?
Yes, these two schools’ (Reignite Philly and CCP) welding programs cater to beginners with basic courses.
Are there resources that can help me learn more about welding before I commit to a program?
Yes, some online resources from platforms like Alison provide free online classes that can teach you the basics of welding
