WELDER CAREERS

Become a Union Welder

Union Welders are Versatile and in Demand

Tasked with cutting and joining materials, there is a need for qualified welders throughout the country, but especially in Texas, Oklahoma and New Mexico. In the southwest region, many welders work on pipelines and help provide and protect valuable energy resources. They also work in every corner of the construction industry, ensuring structures are strong and durable.

The versatility of welders does not stop with pipelines or other jobsites. Welders often go on to become inspectors, instructors, machine operators and more.

With the current workforce aging and an influx of new pipeline and construction projects on the horizon, the work outlook for welders in the southwest has seldom looked more promising.

United Association Welder Training

Welders are tradesmen and tradeswomen who work in a variety of fields where they cut, fabricate and join materials, while also completing other vital tasks.

Aspiring welders whose goal is to reach journeyman status are required to go through the five-year United Association (UA) registered apprenticeship program, where they receive industry-leading training. If an individual comes into the program and already has experience, they may be able to complete their apprenticeship in less than five years, depending on their skill set and level of industry education and experience.

As apprentices, welders earn while they learn. This means that they earn a livable wage and receive great benefits – all while they obtain their education both on-the-job and in the classroom.

The majority of an apprentice’s training occurs on-the-job, where they learn the day-to-day realities of the job from highly skilled and experienced journeymen welders. They then take this work experience and combine it with the classroom instruction they receive at their UA training center to become well-rounded welders.

One of the major challenges that comes with a career as a welder is the need to continually obtain the necessary certifications required to work on certain job sites. Staying up-to-date with the latest industry certifications opens up the opportunity for welders to work with the newest welding technologies on the most interesting projects.

After completing their apprenticeship program and becoming journeymen, welders are strongly encouraged to further their education by continually taking upgrade training courses, practicing the newest techniques and obtaining additional industry certifications to ensure they are up-to-date with the industry’s latest technological advancements. Doing so will allow them to be ready to perform whatever work necessary is available and makes them an important asset to their employer.