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Prepare for Employment in Just Five Weeks!

AACC welding student receives instruction.

AACC, in partnership with Earlbeck Gases and Technologies, can help you become a welder through state-of-the-art training. Learn the foundations of welding including equipment, tools, drawing symbols, welding codes, metallurgy and inspections. Explore shield metal arc welding, gas metal arc welding, gas tungsten arc welding, oxygen acetylene welding and torch cutting. Help meet the demand for qualified, certified welders in the Baltimore/Washington area and prepare for immediate employment.

Scholarships are available to cover 100% of tuition and materials costs for qualified students.


Available Welding Processes

You will get the chance to specialize in one of the types of welding based on the industry you want to enter. You will progress through a series of welding exercises that are specifically designed to build upon one another to steadily increase your skills with the specific goal of performing an American Welding Society certification test that can pass visual and physical strength testing.

  • Shield Metal Arc Welding
    (STICK – construction, ship building, nuclear)
  • Gas Metal Arc Welding
    (MIG – automotive, heavy construction, manufacturing)
  • Gas Tungsten Arc Welding
    (TIG – structural, aerospace, pipe welding)

Training Overview

Students receive classroom and hands-on training using the latest welding equipment available in the industry. We offer classes in the Clauson Center for Innovation and Skilled Trades at AACC in Arnold.

Daytime and evening classes are also offered at the Earlbeck Gases and Technologies Training facility throughout the year. Earlbeck is accredited by the American Welding Society.

Clauson Center for Innovation and Skilled Trades (CCIT)
Arnold
AACC Arnold Campus Map

Earlbeck Gases and Technologies
8204 Pulaski Highway
Baltimore, MD 21237

Tours are available by appointment. 

Requirements

  • Must be 18 or older
  • Participation in a Welding Information Session
  • Work-eligible with a goal to obtain employment using welding skills upon completion of training
  • Ninth grade-plus reading level in English and spoken English proficiency (advanced)
  • Must be available to participate in program activities (pre- and post-surveys about employment, employer engagement events and meetings with AAWDC regarding employment goals as needed)
  • Ability to commit to attend in-person training at the Clauson Center in Arnold (daytime classes meet for five weeks; evening classes meet for 15 weeks) 
  • Cotton pants, cotton shirt and closed-toe shoes

*If you have any concerns about meeting these requirements, email Lamoth Haynie, lhaynie1@swissabc.net, to learn about additional resources.

Cost

The total cost of the Professional Welding Certificate is $5,200. This price represents the cost for Anne Arundel County residents, including tuition and fees. This program is eligible for scholarships.

Scholarships

Scholarships are available to cover 100% of tuition and materials costs for qualified students. Attend an information session to learn more about scholarships.

2025 Training Dates

Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-3 p.m.

  • March 3-April 11
  • May 5-June 13
  • July 7-Aug. 8
  • Sept. 8-Oct. 10
  • Nov. 3-Dec. 12

Monday-Thursday, 5:30-8:30 p.m.

  • April 28-Aug. 21

Job Outlook

Salaries are highly competitive. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, entry-level welders can make $18 per hour, while experienced welders with multiple American Welding Society (AWS) certifications can double or triple their wages.


Credentials Earned

  • Continuing Education Units awarded. Once you successfully complete all the course requirements of the certificate program with a passing grade or higher, submit a Student Application for a Continuing Education Certificate.
  • Earlbeck Certificate of Completion
  • Career Structural Welder certificate upon completion of all intermediate level classes
  • Career Pipe Welder certificate upon completion of the full training

Upon successful completion of Welding for Work, students earn an AACC continuing education certificate for each training (STICK, MIG, TIG) in addition to an American Welding Society (AWS) D1.1 welder certification, CEUs and an Earlbeck Certification of Completion award.

The Professional Welding program is part of AACC’s Maryland Works for Wind project, which is
supported by the Maryland Department of Labor through a $395,276 federal grant from the U.S.
Department of Commerce, which is 100% of the total cost of activities. 

Questions

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Office of Apprenticeship and Applied Learning

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