Jump into an Awesome Career
High School Students
We get it – a 9-to-5 cubicle job isn’t for everyone. Some people are just looking for something different. Maybe you want to build, repair or use your hands. If you’re not sure what your next step will be after graduation, remember a four-year college degree isn’t your only option. Welding offers an exciting alternative and with Arclabs you can get started in a new career in as little as six months.
From aircraft carriers and space shuttles, to smartphones and jewelry, more than 50% of products made in this country require welding. According to NAM, manufacturers in South Carolina employ 12% of the state’s workforce. Texas is the top state to employ welders, with over 50,000 welders calling it home1. Welding is an in-demand skill and will be in high demand for a long time to come.
One of the coolest things about a welding career is the ability to travel. Whether it’s maintaining and repairing NASCAR vehicles, installing pipe in the beautiful Alaskan wilds or performing repairs on a cruise ship, the travel options for skilled welders are practically unlimited. Of course, if you prefer to work closer to home, you can do that too.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average welding salary is $41,380. For welding jobs that require more technical skills like electric power generation, transmission and distribution, the average salary is $76,600.
The fast track to a career.
You’ve got big dreams. Whether it’s a cool car, a nice house or just the latest gaming rig, they all need one thing – money. And you’re not going to earn the kind of cash you want working retail or pouring coffee. You need a real skill to make real wages. Welding is a fast track to earning real money, with an industry average of more than $20/hour. And depending on location and specialization, you can make much more, with some welders taking home six-figures annually.
Get started in months, not years.
Do you really want to spend the next 30+ years staring at spreadsheets? And spend thousands for the privilege of doing it? If you’re the type who would rather get your hands dirty building cool stuff, then Arclabs could be the right fit for you. With courses that can be completed in as few as six months, with over 95% of the program consisting of hands-on training. You’ll get practical experience and can be working on your dreams while your friends who went to four-year colleges are still slogging through required courses.
Build your future at Arclabs.
Skilled welders are always in-demand. For over a decade, Arclabs has been training people just like you in the skills they need to get started in this great career. Our skilled instructors will give you personalized instruction and feedback as you learn, so you (and your future employer) can be confident in your skills. Nationally accredited, we have day and night classes to work around your schedule and you can earn Arclabs certifications. Once you’ve graduated, we’ll even help you find a great job with placement assistance.
Don’t Take our Word for it
Our Students and Alumni
My life before Arclabs was quite different. I was a single mother working as a bartender 7 days a week just to get by for my little man. I grew up in the country around race cars and shops, but I never knew I would become a welder. I actually had a friend whose boyfriend would always come into the bar all dirty, but got off at a decent time every day and didn’t work Fridays. He also seemed to be well off. So I investigated and he told me he was a welder. We talked a long time about it and I was very interested. He then told me he went to Arclabs and he gave me a business card. Thinking I needed a way out, I decided to give them a call. I was so drawn in by how nice and so very helpful they were. The process was so easy and didn’t take long at all. I ended up going to the day welding classes for 5 1/2 months and graduated. I am now employed full time as a Pipe Welder at Jennings Dill Mechanical Contractors in Greenville SC. I am not worried about paying bills anymore and I only work Monday-Thursday. That gives me plenty of time with my little man. I am so thankful I decided to go through with Welding School at Arclabs. My life has changed completely!
Autumn Cullen
December 2019
I’ve been around welding my entire life. My dad, brothers, grandpa and uncles, on both sides of my family, are (or were) in the welding trade. From pipe welding to building NASCAR roll cages, I saw the passion each of them had for their career. It wasn’t just a job for them, it was what they loved to do. I always wanted to weld, but never went for it for fear of failing or falling into the stigma that “women can’t weld.” A time came where being a stay-at-home-mom was no longer an option for me and welding immediately came to mind. I knew I would love this trade, and knew it would provide well for my children. I looked at a few local tech schools and began the enrollment process at one, but it did not seem like a good fit. Then I sat down and Googled local welding schools and came across ArcLabs. I met with the office ladies the following week. Instantly, I knew ArcLabs was where I needed to be. Everyone was friendly, the enrollment process was a breeze, and I liked the idea behind it being mostly hands on training. I signed up for classes at ArcLabs and never looked back. I truly love welding and feel learning this trade was one of the best decisions of my life! I have nothing but positive things to say about my experience at ArcLabs. The teachers are amazing and highly skilled. The staff knows you and truly cares for you, not just as a student but also as a person. Immediately after graduation, the staff helped me land an amazing opportunity with a local partner, so anyone can feel confident that after leaving here they will have a well-paying job. ArcLabs is the place to be for a rewarding welding career!
Debra Beck
February 2020
I was raised by a single mother. We never really seemed to have any money growing up, but we always got by. I dropped out of college because I was working three jobs at the time. I learned how to MIG weld at one of them and had been doing that ever since. I got tired of only doing plate welding and knew I could get paid more. I went to Arclabs and learned how to weld pipe. Now, I am employed with Renfrow Industrial in South Carolina. I have worked some weld jobs out of state and I am making almost quadruple what I used to make. Welding in state, I make double. I am very happy with what I learned at Arclabs. I would absolutely recommend it to anyone who wants a better life for themselves and their family.
Even Groce
October 2019