Welders fuse metals together using torches and welders to build, repair, and fabricate metal structures.
The job description typically includes:
- Reading blueprints
- Preparing materials
- Joining metals
- Performing weld inspections for quality and strength
- Maintaining equipment
They also have to know and follow safety protocols.
Before being ready to perform all the above tasks, you have to complete some specialized training at a trade school or community college.
Classes take between a few months and two years to complete, depending on the credential you are targeting.
Costs also vary, but many schools offer financial aid options to students who qualify.
That being said, if this career path sounds interesting to you, we invite you to read our selection of the best welding schools in Hawaii.
#1Honolulu Community College
About the School
Students can prepare for a lifetime of meaningful work by enrolling in one of the programs available at Honolulu Community College.
They can choose from a variety of diploma and certificate options.
Courses Offered
The Welding Technology program at Honolulu Community College is designed to meet the minimum skill standards established by the American Welding Society for entry-level welders.
Students gain practical skills in the various phases of welding, cutting, and fusing metals.
They also learn how to read and interpret blueprints and sketches.
According to the college’s website, this is the only program in the state that offers training using both traditional welding equipment and a virtual welding machine.
Graduates are trained in arc welding, plasma and carbon arc cutting, oxyacetylene welding, TIG welding, MIG welding, gas metal and flux core arc welding, welding inspecting, testing principles, and fabrication techniques.
Contact Information
- Address: 874 Dillingham Blvd. Honolulu, HI 96817
- Phone: (808) 845-9211
- Website: https://www.honolulu.hawaii.edu
#2Hawai'i Community College
Hawai’i Community College offers a Machine, Welding, and Industrial Mechanics Technologies program that prepares students for employment in the metalworking and mechanical/maintenance trades.
Courses Offered
The following degrees and certificates are available:
- Certificate of Achievement (CO)
- Certificate of Achievement (CA)
- Associate in Applied Science Degree (AAS)
The estimated cost of attendance for an Associate of Applied Science in Machine Welding & Industrial Mechanics is $11,500.
Students learn a variety of skills, including:
- Mechanical reasoning
- Eye and hand coordination and dexterity to properly set up and use the basic machine tools and equipment
- The ability to use common hand tools, layout tools, measuring tools, common cutting and forming tools, and more
- The ability to read blueprints
- Knowledge of metals and the common materials and supplies
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: 1175 Manono Street, Hilo, HI 96720-5096
- Phone: (808) 934-2800
- Website: https://hawaii.hawaii.edu
#3Maui College
Maui College offers a fully online welding program that provides an extensive overview of skills relating to welding techniques.
The course covers the basic principles of metal cutting and rigging, safety guidelines, and manufacturing management.
Courses Offered
The program teaches:
- Welding Safety, Processes, and Applications
- Troubleshooting Inspection Methods
- Metallurgy
- Rigging
- Fabrication Processes
The program includes access to five video-based simulation labs for virtual hands-on experience.
Students get the knowledge and skills they need to start a career in an accelerated format.
They are also invited to attend the school’s exclusive annual virtual National Apprenticeship Week events, featuring live webinars, workshops, and employer interactions.
The syllabus includes:
- Abrasives
- Fasteners
- Inspection
- Lean
- Materials
- Mechanical Systems
- Metal Cutting
- Quality
- Rigging
- Shop Essentials
- Soldering
- Supervisor Essentials
- Welding
- Workforce Essentials
- Virtual Labs/Simulations
Contact Information
- Address: 310 W. Kaahumanu Avenue, Kahului, HI 96732 US
- Phone: 855.520.6806
- Website: https://careertraining.ed2go.com/maui/training-programs/welding-technician
#4Honolulu Community College- Continuing Education
About the School
Honolulu Community College offers a Welding program through its Continuing Education division.
This program includes:
- Introduction to Arc Welding
- Introduction to Gas Welding
- Introduction to Metallic Inert Gas Welding
- Introduction to Tungsten Inert Gas Welding
- Arc Welding 2
- Arc Welding 3
- Arc Welding 4
Students learn how to use different welding methods to weld metals, display proper welding safety procedures, discuss proper set-up, use, and care of arc welding equipment, weld in a flat position, weld butt joints, weld t-fillets, weld lap joints, and more.
Contact Information
- Address: 874 Dillingham Blvd, Honolulu, HI 96817, Bldg 2, Room 507
- Phone: 808.845.9296
- Website: https://pcatt.org
#5Kaua'i Community College
Kaua’i Community College offers a variety of welding classes that cover beginning, intermediate, and advanced welding procedures.
Courses Offered
The following courses are available at the college:
- Introduction to Welding- an introduction to Oxy/Acetylene and basic arc welding procedures in the workplace in accordance with American Welding Society standards.
- Intermediate Welding- a course that covers intermediate arc welding procedures, including the safe and proper use of shop equipment, tools, and materials.
- Advanced Welding- a course that covers an introduction to safe practices, setup, and operation of Gas Tungsten Arc Welding equipment
- Plasma and Arc Carbon Arc Cutting- a course that introduces plasma-arc cutting systems to students
- Auto Metal Work and Welding- a course designed to introduce students to the basic skills used in auto body welding
Contact Information
- Address: 3-1901 Kuamualiʻi Hwy, Līhuʻe, HI, 96766
- Phone: 808.245.8311
- Website: https://catalog.kauai.hawaii.edu
#6NHTI
About the School
Welding classes are also available online at schools and colleges across the state.
NHTI offers a Welder Technician program available fully online.
This program costs $2,795 with tools included and can be completed in 12 months.
The course is an intensive overview of skills relating to welding techniques, from the basic principles of metal cutting and rigging to safety guidelines and manufacturing management.
Courses Offered
The program includes training in:
- Welding safety, processes, and applications
- Troubleshooting
- Inspection methods
- Metallurgy
- Rigging
- Fabrication processes
The syllabus covers:
- Grinding processes
- Grinding Safety
- Safety for Assembly
- Basic Measurement
- Blueprint Reading
- Process Flow Charting
- Introduction to Physical Properties
- Safety for Metal Cutting
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: 31 College Drive, Center for Training & Business Development, Concord, NH 03301
- Phone: 855.520.6806
- Website: https://careertraining.nhti.edu
#7CDG Training
About the School
CDG Training offers an Advanced Welding Inspection Professional program.
This program costs $250.
The courses are available online and give students the option to learn anytime, from anywhere, at their own pace.
Students have lifetime access across devices, including post-completion.
Courses Offered
The Advanced Welding Inspection Professional syllabus includes:
- Introduction to Welding Inspection
- Welding Inspection Standards and Codes
- Welding Processes for Welding Inspection
- Welding Symbols and Drawings in Welding Inspection
- Visual Welding Inspection Techniques
- Destructive Testing in Welding Inspection
- Welding Inspection Documentation and Reporting
- Welding Inspection, Safety, and Health
- And more
Contact Information
- Website: https://www.cdgtraining.com
#8American Welding Society
About the School
The American Welding Society offers self-paced online welding classes.
More than 40 courses are available and crafted to encourage learners to actively think, question, and draw conclusions.
The courses use animated graphics, auto narration, video content, and interactive features.
Students can access them 24/7 from any device.
The training is aligned with AWS certification and standards.
Courses Offered
The following courses are available:
- Aluminum Metallurgy
- API 1104 Code Clinic
- Career Readiness
- D1.1. Code Clinic
- Destructive Testing
- Economics of Welding
- Fabrication Math I
- Fabrication Math II
- Instructional Strategies for Welding Educators
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: 8669 NW 36 Street, #130, Miami, Florida 33166-6672
- Phone: (800) 443-9353
- Website: https://www.aws.org
#9Alison
About the School
Alison offers a variety of free online courses that can lead to certificates and diplomas.
A free online Diploma in Welding and Joining Techniques is also included in the school’s catalog.
This welding course covers:
- Classification of welding processes
- Types of welding processes and classification of joints
- Brazing and the principles of brazing
- Soldering and adhesive bonding
- Solidification and cracking in welding processes
The course includes the following modules:
- Fundamentals of Welding and Joining
- Welding Metallurgy
- Course assessment
Contact Information
- Website: https://alison.com
#10TPC
About the School
TPC offers online and instructor-led training courses designed to fit every industry and budget.
The online welding course series available at TPC starts by teaching students how to read blueprints.
Each welding course continues with training on types of welds and the basics of both gas and arc welding.
The course also includes specific how-to instructions on all types of welding practices.
Courses Offered
The following welding classes are available at TPC:
- Blueprint Reading for Welders- a course that covers basic shop math and measurement skills
- Welding Principles- an online welding course that covers the fundamentals of industrial welding
- Oxyfuel Operations- a course that covers the welding of ferrous and nonferrous metals
- Arc Welding Operations- an online course that covers types of welds
Contact Information
- Address: 225 E Robinson Street, Suite 570, Orlando, FL 32801
- Phone: 877-978-7246
- Website: https://www.tpctraining.com
Schools Summary Table
Welding Average Salary in Hawaii
Estimated Earnings Range:| Item | Percent |
|---|---|
|
$48K
|
|
|
$75K
|
|
|
$98K
|
Welding Salary by Metro Area in Hawaii
| Metro Area | Employed | Avg. Annual | Avg. Hourly | Top 10% | Bottom 10% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kahului-Wailuku, HI | 50 | $68,870 | $33.11 | $103,570 | $43,010 |
| Urban Honolulu, HI | 470 | $76,590 | $36.82 | $98,670 | $48,380 |
* Employment opportunities may differ based on your location.
Final Thoughts
Welding classes are available at several community colleges in Hawaii and online.
Now that you have read our selection of the top welding schools available for Hawaii students, the next step is to continue the research and apply for the program that best fits your learning style and career aspirations.
This is an important step, so make sure you take your time and do thorough research.
