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Questions about how to Enroll

Welding

ACE ADVANTAGE FUNDING

Welders are responsible for fixing structural repairs and making sure welding machinery and equipment is in great shape. They pick the materials to be joined or cut, arrange them in an appropriate configuration, then follow a specific design or blueprint to create the desired product.  

US Bureau of Labor Statistics 2023:

Number of available jobs as of 2023 - 454,500

Job Outlook from 2023 to 2033 - 2% growth

Median Pay 2023 - $48,940 per year or $23.53 per hour

This is an Evening program. Class meets Tuesday - Thursday 5 pm to 10pm

This program follows the county school schedule.

Click here to see class options.

NEW STUDENTS CAN CHOOSE FROM THE FOLLOWING

Welding Technology

Designed for students wanting a lifelong career in the welding industry.

Welding Technology (1080 – Hours Two-Year program) 

Fundamentals of Welding (9310) The Fundamentals of Welding course teaches students welding safety, oxyacetylene safety, and OSHA 10. This course also teaches welding symbols which are used every day in the welding industry. It is required to take this course before entering any other welding course offered.

Certification OSHA 10 Card

The SMAW (Shielded Metal Arc Welding) basic course will prepare students for entry level positions in the field of welding. It will cover basic SMAW skills such as: SMAW equipment, different polarities, electrode selection and welding in all positions. With the skills obtained from this course you can work in the mining industry, manufacturing and repair or construction industries.

West Virginia State Certification 9311 SMAW-Plate

The GMAW (Gas Metal Arc Welding) – FCAW (Flux Cored Arc Welding) basic course will prepare students for entry level positions in the manufacturing industry. It will cover basic GMAW-FCAW skills such as: equipment, different polarities, layout, and proper shielding gas selection. Students will train with different joint designs in all welding positions. With the skills obtained from this course you can work in the manufacturing and fabrication industry.

West Virginia State Certification 9312 GMAW-Plate

West Virginia State Certification 9313 FCAW-Plate

Welding (GTAW) 9314 GTAW - In the GTAW (TIG) Basic course students will learn on mild steel, stainless steel, and aluminum. It will cover GTAW safety, equipment, polarities, and shielding gas selection. Students will practice on edge, corner, lap, and T-joints before continuing to groove welds. With the skills obtained from this course you can work in the manufacturing and fabrication industry.
West Virginia State Certifications 9314 GTAW-Plate

Welding Basics 

Designed to get students started in the welding career or to increase the student’s skills.

Welding Basics (540 – Hours one-Year program) 

Fundamentals of Welding (9310) The 200-hour Fundamentals of Welding course teaches students welding safety, oxyacetylene safety, and OSHA 10. This course also teaches welding symbols which are used every day in the welding industry. It is required to take this course before entering any other welding course offered.

Certification OSHA 10 Card

 Students choose one of the following four certifications tracks:

SMAW Plate Certification (9311)

The SMAW (Shielded Metal Arc Welding) basic course will prepare students for entry level positions in the field of welding. It will cover basic SMAW skills such as: SMAW equipment, different polarities, electrode selection and welding in all positions. With the skills obtained from this course you can work in the mining industry, manufacturing and repair or construction industries.

West Virginia State Certification 9311 SMAW-Plate

GMAW-FCAW Basic Certification (9312 and 9313)

The GMAW (Gas Metal Arc Welding) – FCAW (Flux Cored Arc Welding) basic course will prepare students for entry level positions in the manufacturing industry. It will cover basic GMAW-FCAW skills such as: equipment, different polarities, layout, and proper shielding gas selection. Students will train with different joint designs in all welding positions. With the skills obtained from this course you can work in the manufacturing and fabrication industry.

West Virginia State Certification 9312 GMAW-Plate

West Virginia State Certification 9313 FCAW-Plate

SMAW Advanced Certification (9315) – Prerequisite 9311 SMAW Basic Certification

The SMAW Advanced course requires the SMAW Basic. Students will practice on 2” and 6” pipe in the 2G,5G and 6G positions. Students will take tests in the uphill and downhill progression. This course will give students the ability to enter the pipe welding trades.

West Virginia State Certification 9315 SMAW-Pipe

GMAW-FCAW Advanced Certification (9316 and 9317) -Prerequisite 9312 GMAW-9313 FCAW Basic Certification

The GMAW-FCAW Advanced course. Students will practice GMAW with spray and pulsed spray metal transfers as well as GMAW on aluminum. Students will also learn 2G,5G and 6G pipe using FCAW-G, FCAW-S and GMAW.

West Virginia State Certification 9316 GMAW-Pipe

West Virginia State Certification 9317 FCAW-Pipe

Class starts in August each year.

The August class can TABE test starting in July.

Financial Aid

The Certified Welder program qualifies for Pell, Heaps, VA, WIOA and WV Vocational Rehabilitation. These are Grants not Loans. ACT does not offer in any student loan options.

Satisfactory Academic Progress

To meet SAP, a student must:

  • Maintain a continuous "C" average.

  • Attend at least 90% of the program hours for each grading period.

  • Maintain a continuous 90% attendance rate for the program.

  • Complete the course within the originally scheduled course hours.

Refund Policy

During the first enrollment period 1 to 450 hours

There is no refund for fees after the start of class! There is a 100% refund on tuition during the first five days of the program! There is a 50% refund on tuition during day 6 thru day 10 of the program! After day 10 of the program there is No Refund!!

During the second enrollment period 450 to 900 hours

There is No Refund once the second enrollment period starts!

Enrollment Procedures

Printable Enrollment Check Sheet

1

Prerequisites

  • Must be 18 years old (within 6 weeks of the start of the class)

  • High school diploma or WV approved equivalent

2

Start Here

  • Schedule your free TABE required entrance exam after July 1, 2025

  • Receive an email for day/time to test. (Check spam/junk folder)

  • Complete your Financial Aid Applications.

      ​For Pell Grant visit:

www.fafsa.ed.gov    ACT's ID 015748 Complete 25-26 application

​      For HEAPS Grant visit:  (fill out AFTER July 1, 2025)

https://wvhepc.org/secure/apps/applications/heaps/welcome.aspx

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  • Successfully complete the TABE exam and the 12 hours of online work assigned by Denise Ballard. 

3

Once Financial Aid Applications Are Received

Be Advised FAFSA applications take up to 10 business days to be processed by the Department of Education.

  • If needed, you must supply any required documentation to verify your financial aid position.

  • Schedule an appointment with Melani Hylton to register for class.

4

Final Steps

 

Bring the following with you to your registration appointment:

  1. High School Diploma or WV Approved Equivalent

  2. Social Security Card

  3. Photo ID

  4. Non-Refundable Registration of $215 (must be exact change/check)

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During your registration appointment you will:   

  1. Complete an Adult Registration form.

  2. Register for a background check.

  3. Apply for the ACE Advantage grant.

  4. Sign a cost sheet and agree to all school policies.

  5. If applicable, sign a financial aid award letter.​

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5

Start Class

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