Welding Apprenticeship: No Experience Needed, Earn While You Learn
📢2025 Welding Training Open for Application / Paid Training / Earn While Learning / No Experience Required
Welding is not only a high-demand technical trade but also a shortcut for many people to achieve career advancement. In recent years, numerous companies have launched paid welding apprenticeship programs, allowing individuals to enter this high-paying profession without prior education or experience, learning while earning.
Four Core Advantages
✔️No Experience Required to Start
Most welding apprenticeship programs do not require formal education, experience, or certifications. Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII) only requires applicants to have a high school diploma or equivalent. HII's welding training program is open to beginners, with no prior welding experience necessary. The training lasts 3 weeks,
✔️Paid Training, Earn While You Learn
HII offers a 6,000-hour training program that includes on-the-job experience through rotations across welding workshops, construction zones, integration areas, and dockyards. Apprentice wages start at $23.19 per hour. Pay increases every 500 hours of work. This allows you to quickly begin a technical career without taking on debt.
Port News Shipyard offers competitive compensation, weekly pay, paid time off, paid holidays, health benefits (including onsite health center, 401K company match, employee discounts, and more)
✔️High Salary & Industry Support
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median salary for welders is $51,000 per year, or about $24.52 per hour. Many companies also offer overtime pay, performance bonuses, and project-based incentives, making the wage structure more flexible and truly based on performance.
The American Welding Society (AWS), the authoritative body in the U.S. welding industry, provides certification through accredited testing facilities (ATF) to ensure welders possess industry-standard skills.
✔️Employment support + career development prospects
Many welding schools offer career counseling services to help students prepare resumes, conduct interview skills training, and provide career planning advice.
Welders have a clear career advancement path, from entry-level positions to roles as senior technicians, mentors, inspectors, or managers. Over the next decade, the U.S. will continue to face a shortage of skilled welders, especially in industries such as energy, shipbuilding, and aerospace. Welders with certification and experience will enjoy stable employment and lucrative income, with good career development opportunities.
Who Qualifies for Paid Welding Apprenticeships? (Training suggestions)
18-24 Years Old | New to the Workforce
Recent high school graduates and young adults can participate in apprenticeship programs or WIOA youth initiatives, earning while they learn and quickly entering the workforce.
25-40 Years Old | Career Changers & Skill Enhancers
Individuals looking to escape low-paying jobs or switch careers can apply for WIOA adult programs or state-supported courses, which offer income during training and high employment rates.
41-55 Years Old | Reentering the Workforce
Unemployed, laid-off, or skill outdated individuals can apply for the WIOA dislocated worker program, receiving welding training to return to work quickly.
Veterans
Veterans can use GI Bill benefits for training, with a dedicated channel to help them transition into welding jobs.
How to Apply for Paid Welding Apprenticeships
1. Check Eligibility
Must be at least 18 years old and legally authorized to work in the U.S. Some programs may prioritize low-income, unemployed, or veteran applicants.
2. Find Local Programs
Visit Apprenticeship.gov or CareerOneStop.org to find paid welding apprenticeships or WIOA-funded programs in your area.
3. Contact Job Centers
Visit your local American Job Center for personalized recommendations, eligibility assessments, and assistance with applying for funding.
4. Prepare Application Materials
Common documents include proof of identity, education (e.g., high school diploma), and employment status.
5. Submit Application & Attend Evaluation
Some programs require basic testing or an interview. Once accepted, you’ll sign an apprenticeship agreement.
6. Start Training & Get Paid
Once enrolled, apprentices learn on the job, earn an hourly wage, and pass testing upon completion to receive official welding certification.
Welding Apprenticeship Tips
🔺Physical Health Requirements
Welding is physically demanding, requiring good vision, hand-eye coordination, and the ability to stand or bend for long periods.
🔺Safety Awareness is Crucial
Follow all safety regulations and wear protective equipment (e.g., goggles, fire-resistant clothing, welding gloves) to prevent electrical shocks, burns, and metal splatter injuries.
🔺Theoretical & Practical Balance
Welding training involves not only hands-on practice but also learning about metal materials, welding blueprints, and parameters. Mastering these will help you pass certification exams.
🔺Choose Accredited Programs
Opt for training programs or institutions accredited by the American Welding Society (AWS) or certified testing facilities (ATF) to ensure you receive industry-recognized certification.