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Are you looking for a job that does not require a college degree? Welding may be the right fit for you!
With just a high school diploma or GED and welding certifications, you can have a job that has a lucrative income.
The average hourly rate for welders in Riverside, CA is $22.09, depending on your experience and expertise.
Aside from the juicy earnings, you will have various work setups in different industries, such as commercial construction, shipbuilding, railways, pipelines, and more.
It all starts with the proper training. Check out these welding school options in Riverside, CA, to kickstart your career.
1 UEI College - Riverside
UEI College is a vocational and technical center that empowers students to create a future they’ll be proud of.
It provides hands-on training that runs for ten months.
UEI maintains small class sizes for personalized attention and employs industry-experienced instructors who don’t just teach but inspire and mentor.
Its curriculum reflects current Business, healthcare, and Trade program industry standards.
It ensures graduates are interview and job-ready.
The supportive faculty and staff provide full mentorship and guidance with their extensive industry experience to create students’ brighter futures.
About The Welding Program
UEI’s comprehensive Welding Training Program is tailored to give students a deep understanding of welding fundamentals.
The course combines theoretical classroom lessons and hands-on welding training in a shop environment.
The classes are available online classes with on-site labs both daytime and evening.
Students can complete and graduate in less than one year, and UEI instructors have vast welding experience.
The program covers the following:
- Welding Principles and Safety
- Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW)
- Flux Core Arc Welding (FCAW)
- Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (GTAW)
- Oxyacetylene Cutting and welding safety.
- Metal Fabrication and Layout
- Welding Alloys
- Welding Blueprint Reading and Planning
Upon completion, you are qualified for some positions: Welder, Solder, Brazing and Machine Setter, Operator, Cutter, Welder Fitter, and Welder Tender.
Address: 1860 University Ave, Riverside, CA 92507, United States
2 Riverside City College
Riverside City College (RCC) was formerly Riverside Junior College and shared campus with Poly High School in 1916.
It was renamed and separated after voters supported a bond measure that provided funding to construct the high school campus in 1921.
After its major expansion, RCC became the largest school in the Riverside Community College District.
It offers more than 100 programs in associate degrees, career certificates, transfer programs, and continuing education.
RCC’s mission is to be a diverse community for students by providing certificates, degrees, and transfer programs to help them realize their career and educational goals.
Commission for Community and Junior Colleges (ACCJC) accredits RCC, an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education Council and the Higher Education Accreditation.
About The Welding Program
RCC offers four Welding courses under the Instructional Pathways in Advanced Technical Arts and Trades.
The Welding program has five different courses: Welding Technology, Pipe Welding, Stick Welding (SMAW), TIG Welding (GTAW), and Wire Welding (FCAW, GMAW).
Here are the course’s highlights:
Welding Technology
The course will equip students with the technical knowledge and hands-on skills to join and cut metallic materials.
It runs for 12-18 months.
The course covers the following:
- FCAW
- SMAW
- GTAW
- GMAW
- Plasma cutting and Oxyacetylene techniques.
- Welding metallurgy and safety standards.
Pipe Welding
The course will offer students technical knowledge and skills in welding Oxyacetylene cutting GMAW/SMAW pipe.
Students who complete the course in 8-12 months will have an entry-level position in pipe welding.
Stick Welding (SMAW), TIG Welding (GTAW), and Wire Welding (FCAW, GMAW) course overviews are as follows:
The course will equip students with knowledge in beginning SMAW welding processes, oxyacetylene cutting, and GTAW welding process.
Also, welding symbols, FCAW/GMAW processes, AWS welding codes, and safety standards in the industry. Course completion is 8-12 months.
Address: 4800 Magnolia Avenue Riverside, CA 92506
3 Riverside County Office of Education
Riverside County Office of Education was established in 1893.
It provides advanced education, and leadership serves to prepare students for college and the workforce.
RCOE has been committed to excellence to ensure its educational offering remains up-to-date, relevant, and in line with the current job market demands.
The Council on Occupational Education accredits RCOE as a testament to the quality and value it offers to its students.
It emphasizes the institution’s commitment to providing top-tier educational programs.
RCOE offers a diverse range of programs tailored to the needs of the modern workforce.
These are Business Occupations, Dental Assistant, Emergency Medical Technician (EMT), Nursing Programs, Pharmacy Technician, Phlebotomy, Medical Clinical Occupations and Welding.
About The Welding Program
One of the outstanding offerings of RCOEs is the Welding for Skills Upgrade program.
The course will prepare students with the necessary skills to perform welding tasks proficiently and help them for an entry-level position in the welding industry.
It aligns with the American Welding Society’s standards.
Upon completion, students are prepared to take up to four AWS certification exams, providing them with a competitive edge in the job market.
Address: 9825 County Farm Road Riverside, CA 92503
Schools Summary Table
| Rank | School | |
|---|---|---|
|
#1 | UEI College - Riverside |
|
#2 | Riverside City College |
|
#3 | Riverside County Office of Education |
Read the full guide: How to Become a Certified Welder
Welding Schools by City
Welding Schools by State