4 Best Welding Schools in St. Louis, MO

About the School

Ranken Technical College is focused on providing quality education that helps prepare their students for success in the workforce and the real world.

From day one, they treat their students as professionals, empowering them to become proficient in various skills necessary to excel in their chosen fields.

They have four locations in Missouri — St. Louis, West, Southeast, and Central.

Their expert instructors work closely with the students for an average of 15 hours per week.

They do a lot of hands-on work and guide each and every one to be fully equipped, trained, and ready to join the workforce.

Courses Offered

The St. Louis location offers a Fabrication and Welding program.

From construction and manufacturing to aerospace and car racing, it teaches skills that will give students the know-how to thrive in various industries that need and use welding.

All classes take place in a 7,500-square-foot facility that has 38 welding booths, two cranes, a band saw, a shear, a plasma cutting table, and a magnetic drill press.

By taking the course, students are introduced to industry-standard machinery and equipment.

They can develop proficiency in different areas, including welding fabrication, Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW/MIG), Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW/Stick), Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (GTAW/TIG), and Flux Cored Arc Welding (FCAW).

Upon completion, they get a Certificate in Fabrication Welding Technology.

About the School

St. Louis Community College (STLCC) is the largest higher educational institution in this part of the country.

Since their founding in 1962, they have served the people and the communities of the St. Louis area with quality education.

Their primary goal is to develop individuals into valuable members of the economy and society.

They provide certificates, career development and workforce training, associate degrees, and college transfer degrees.

They strive to strengthen every student so they are as ready as they can be once they enter the workforce.

With multiple locations across St. Louis City and St. Louis County, they want to offer their full support whichever route their students choose.

Courses Offered

The Certified Welding Technician course prepares students for their pursuit of a career as a welder.

Because welding is an in-demand skill, it offers an accelerated program that aims to teach the fundamentals of welding.

With an experienced, certified instructor and a state-of-the-art lab, it trains students to:

• Gain a complete understanding of important welding concepts
• Know and apply the right procedures when handling equipment
• Correctly utilize machines used in SMAW (Stick), FCAW (Flux core), GTAW (TIG), and GMAW (MIG) welding
• Understand the properties of different metals
• Develop essential physical and cognitive skills to pass various certification tests

Upon successful completion, it allows students to test for American Welding Society (AWS) certifications and gives opportunities for various career paths.

About the School

Iron Workers Joint Apprenticeship is a training center run by the International Association of Bridge, Structural, Ornamental and Reinforcing Iron Workers, AFL-CIO (IW).

Since the 1890s, their members have taken part in many important major construction projects across the country.

They worked on many landmarks, including the Golden Gate Bridge, the World Trade Center, the Sears Tower, and the St. Louis Arch.

The main goal is to always proudly, skillfully, and safely build.

They have multiple training centers around the United States, and their Midwest Region Training Center is located in St. Louis.

Courses Offered

The welding course is called the Iron Workers/AWS National Welding Certification Program.

Thanks to the partnership they have built with the American Welding Society, it has earned national recognition and high respect.

It promises an exceptional standard of excellence for everything welding — from learning and training to qualification and certification.

Students who successfully complete the program can develop key welding skills that meet industry demands and expectations, and, as they like to say, “get the job done right the first time.”

About the School

South Technical High School wants their students to succeed in whichever career they choose.

They are focused on three things — Real World Skills, Hands-On Learning, and Career Exploration.

From day one, they want to show their full support by providing education, instruction, and training that are useful for their entry into the workforce.

They offer tuition-free, career and technical education (CTE) that allows students to explore their career options prior to graduating.

Their elective courses teach students industry knowledge and skills, helping them earn school credits, certifications, and skills valuable to their pursuit of their passion.

Courses Offered

The welding course is a competitive program designed to teach students to take on a variety of complex metal fabrication works and challenges.

It involves designing, engineering, building, and troubleshooting.

The first year of the two-year program is about 26% to 50% classroom time and 26% to 50% lab time.

In the second year, expect only 25% or less classroom time and 76% or more lab time.

Throughout the course, students learn about Gas Metal Arc Welding, Gas Tungsten Arc Welding, Shielded Metal Arc Welding, Flux Cored Arc Welding, and other welding techniques.

They also get to use industry-grade tools and equipment.

In the end, they can earn the American Welding Society (AWS), Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), and S/P2 Safety certifications.