The Benefits of Welding School Over Community College

While community colleges offer welding programs, there are several very good reasons why choosing one at a vocational welding school is the better option. Here are some of the advantages of going to a good welding school.

Less Study Time

Community colleges generally offer two-year programs that can lead to associate degrees, diplomas and certificates of completion. This means students take general education classes that are not used in his or her line of work.

Welding courses at a technical school often take a year or even less to complete, as they do not include extra, unnecessary coursework. Short, focused technical school training enables a person to finish his or her studies and enter the job market in a presumably shorter period of time than community college training.

More Focused Curriculum

Trade schools generally offer smaller class sizes than most community colleges, which can equate to a higher teacher-to-student ratio. What is more, technical schools offer very job-focused training. If you know exactly what type of welding you want to do, then a technical school is a better place to obtain training than a community college, as community college programs often offer more general rather than specific training.

Hands-On Practice

While all welding classes include book and lecture instruction, technical schools offer much more on-the-job practice than community colleges. At a technical school, you will learn primarily through on-the-job training rather than via lectures.

Additionally, many welding schools, as opposed to just some community colleges, work with local companies and trade unions to provide on-the-job experience and training for students. Welding school students can try out working in construction, manufacturing, public utilities, etc., enabling them to determine which job environment they are most interested in.

Which Option Is Better?

Understanding the important differences between community college and welding school will enable you to pick the educational institution that best suits your needs.

Welding schools offer a lot of hands-on instruction, have small class sizes and can provide specialized training that can qualify a student for an entry-level welding job upon graduation. What is more, welding school courses take less time to complete than most college courses. On the other hand, a person who is not sure if welding is the right career for him or her may want to study the field at a community college. Doing so will enable one to study other courses as well and then determine which occupation to pursue.

If you know welding is right for you, contact a welding school to inquire about enrolling in a program that fits your needs. Tulsa Welding School (TWS) offers hands-on training, flexible scheduling and financial and career assistance for decades. Contact TWS today to get started on the path to a rewarding career in welding.