6 Best Welding Schools in Phoenix & Mesa, AZ

About the School

East Valley Institute of Technology (EVIT) is dedicated to providing a college preparatory training experience that molds their students into qualified members of the workforce.

With programs that offer hands-on training and industry credentials, they strive to help their students be competitive not only at the local level but also on the global scale.

There are three East Valley locations in Arizona — the Dr. A. Keith Crandell (Main) Campus and the Power Campus in Mesa, and the Apache Junction Branch Campus.

Courses Offered

Accredited by the Commission of the Council on Occupational Education, the EVIT Welding Technologies program will teach students the basics of welding and metal fabrication through hands-on training.

They educate and train on the proper techniques in welding processes, working knowledge of welding processes, and the right handling of different tools and equipment used in the welding trade.

Their goal is to provide their students an opportunity to earn industry certification and be official members of the American Welding Society.

The Main Campus and Power Campus welcome high school students and adults who want to pursue a career in welding and other technical fields.

High School and Daytime Program:

• Welding Technologies – takes 2 to 4 semesters to complete, with an estimated supply fee of $100 in Year 1 and another $100 in Year 2

Adult Career Training:

• Welding – takes 5 months or 360 hours to complete, with a tuition of $4,985

About the School

West-MEC offers Career and Technical Education programs that bring out their students’ potentials.

With multiple locations in the state, their mission is to help their students gain the confidence and drive for a fruitful career in their chosen fields.

They offer career training programs for high school students and adults, and provide licensure and certifications that can open a world of opportunities for a better life.

Courses Offered

Accredited by the Council on Occupational Education since 2015, their Welding Technology program introduces students to the fundamentals of welding and other information necessary to get their break in the welding industry.

By completing the program, students can earn welding qualifications needed for various industry positions.

They can work as a certified welding inspector, structural welder, manufacturing welder, sheet metal worker, or welding supervisor.

Welding Technology (High School Program)

• a two-year program that teaches basic welding skills
• upon completion, students may seek other industry credentials, such as the OSHA 10 and the NC3 Snap-On-Precision Measuring Angles and Rulers

Welding Technology (Adult Education Program)

• program length is 900 clock hours
• tuition and fees for the program of study cost $14,210
• a Federal Student Aid eligible program

About the School

The Collaboratory is an art design studio and creative laboratory that originated in Denver, Colorado in 2010.

Later on, they found their way to Arizona, where they continue their mission of promoting creative explorations and discoveries.

Their goal is to build an environment with an atmosphere they describe as “a taste of Heaven on Earth.”

Courses Offered

Their creative classes range from plasma cutting and blacksmithing to knife making and 3D printing.

They also offer Welding Classes that serve as an introduction to the basics of welding.

• 2-Hour Blacksmithing and Welding Class – $185 (regularly $255)
• 2-Hour MIG Welding & Plasma Cutting Class – $185 (regularly $255)

Suitable for DIYers, the course is a fun and hands-on class. It requires students to complete a project as they learn key welding techniques.

Offered as a 60-minute or 90-minute class, The Collaboratory’s welding program is ideal for completing projects that use steel.

About the School

Mesa Community College is focused on being a pioneer in instructional and educational services.

Their primary goal is student success, so they continually innovate, revise, adjust, and develop their student service processes.

Founded more than 50 years ago, MCC is one of the top 10 largest colleges in the Maricopa County Community College District.

Whether online degrees or certificates, they have the technology, resources, and facilities to provide opportunities to students who want to succeed.

Courses Offered

Their welding program prepares their students for the workforce.

From the basics to specializations, they have various degree offers that open up plenty of career opportunities in the welding industry.

They offer Certificate of Completions in the following:

• Welding
• Welding: Fundamentals
• Welding: Gas Metal/Flux Cored Arc Welding
• Welding: Gas Tungsten Arc Welding Ferrous
• Welding Gas: Tungsten Arc Welding Non-Ferrous
• Welding: Shielded Metal Arc Welding Pipe
• Welding: Shielded Metal Arc Welding Plate

They also offer an Associate in Applied Science in Welding degree.

After successfully earning an Associates Degree or Certificate of Completion, students can work as welders, welder fitters, or cutters, and potentially take home over $43,000 annually.

About the School

GateWay Community College is a part of the Maricopa County Community College District.

It is a public institution of higher learning that offers various educational courses and services.

From Certificates of Competency and Certificates of Completion to Associate’s Degrees and Bachelor’s Degrees, they have been of service to their communities since 1968.

Their mission is to develop students who can be competitive and thrive globally.

Their vision is to provide education and innovation to get future generations ready to enter the workforce.

Courses Offered

Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, the Central City Campus is the location for their trade and technical training programs, including welding.

Their welding certificate courses require 720 total hours clocked, 20 hours per week, and cover the fundamentals and other specialized welding skills.

They offer the following welding programs:

• Welding: Fundamentals
• Welding: Gas Tungsten Arc Welding Ferrous and Non-Ferrous
• Welding: Shielded Metal Arc Welding Pipe

Each requires 20 hours per week, 720 total clock hours.

They cover the fundamentals and other specialized welding skills.

They are also aligned with industry standards and credentials of the American Welding Society, American Society of Mechanical Engineers, and American Petroleum Institute.

Upon successful completion, the GateWay Welding program allows students to qualify for graduation and earn their certificate of competency.

About the School

Vocational Training Institute is focused on arming their graduates with the necessary skills to launch their careers.

Through countless training hours and exposure to real-world usage and applications of welding, they help their students establish a strong and solid foundation in the fundamentals of welding and achieve success in the field.

Courses Offered

VTI’s Welding Training Program comes in two: a 6-week course (day classes) and a 14-week course (evening classes).

The Advanced Welding Technician Training requires 150 hours.

It is suitable for experienced welders who want to gain more advanced skills.

The Process Piping Welding Training, on the other hand, requires 80 hours.

It covers welding process piping and components in the pharmaceutical, dairy, food, and beverage manufacturing industries.

Upon completion, students can be on their way to kickstarting their welding career.

They can work as welding technicians, welding engineers, or certified welding inspectors.