Are you thinking about becoming a welder? That’s a great choice!
In case you decide to study welding technology, you will have the opportunity to work on the land, underwater, and even in the sky!
Moreover, an experienced welder can easily change one field to the other, so the chances are high that you’ll never get bored of your job.
Here are the best schools for future welders in the City of Angels.
Welders annual average salary in California is $44,159 - ABOVE U.S. AVERAGE!
Compton College
About the School
The Compton Community College District was founded in 1927.
It became a component of the Compton Union High School District.
The main mission of the college is to create an inclusive environment where individuals are able to pursue and attain success.
Courses Offered
The Welding program prepares students for employment in the field and provides opportunities for currently employed personnel to upgrade their skills.
By completing the degree requirements, students gain proficiency in oxy-acetylene cutting, plasma arc cutting, shielded metal arc welding, gas metal arc welding, gas tungsten arc welding, and flux cored welding.
Students develop skills in welding ferrous and non-ferrous alloys in flat, horizontal, vertical, and overhead positions and gain skills in layout, fabrication, reading engineering drawings and pipe welding.
Address: 1111 East Artesia Blvd. Compton, CA 90221
El Camino College
About the School
El Camino College was founded in 1947 and is located on a 126-acre campus.
The place is ranked among the largest 2-year, single-campus colleges in the United States.
The college offers flexible schedules and has transfer agreements with plenty of 4-year universities.
El Camino is accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges, Western Association of Schools and Colleges.
Courses Offered
The Welding program prepares students for employment in the field and provides upgrade opportunities for currently employed personnel.
By completing the degree or certificate requirements, students gain proficiency in the following welding processes: oxy-acetylene cutting, plasma arc cutting, brazing and welding, shielded metal arc welding, gas metal arc welding, gas tungsten arc welding, and flux cored welding.
Students develop skills in welding ferrous and non-ferrous alloys in flat, horizontal, vertical, and overhead positions.
Students also acquire proficiency in blueprint reading, layout, structural fabrication, and pipe welding.
Address: 16007 Crenshaw Blvd Torrance, CA 90506
Cerritos College
About the School
Cerrito College is one of the top community colleges in Los Angeles County. It opened its doors in 1955.
Cerrito is one of the 5 largest community colleges in the county. Approximately 22.000 individuals attend the college annually.
It was accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges.
Courses Offered
The Cerritos College Welding Department is recognized nationwide as a leader in welding education.
The 12,000 sq.ft. lab areas boast 76 welding stations allowing students practical welding experiences on ferrous and non-ferrous plate, pipe, and sheet metal using the SMAW, GTAW, GMAW, FCAW, SAW, and OAW processes on state-of-the-art equipment.
Instruction is also offered in pipe layout, print reading, and welding code classes.
Address: 11110 Alondra Blvd Norwalk, CA 90650
Long Beach City College
About the School
Long Beach City College is accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges, Western Association of Schools and Colleges.
The mission of the college is to provide academic excellence and workforce development to our diverse communities.
There are two beautiful and spacious campuses – Liberal Arts Campus and Pacific Coast Campus.
Courses Offered
The Welding Technology program provides the necessary technical skills, knowledge, and attitude to prepare students for employment and to provide advanced training in a variety of occupations in the welding and metal fabrication industry.
There are 3 pathways to the Welding Technology program, which are as follows:
- Certificate of Accomplishment, Advanced Arc Welding (SMAW and FCAW)
- Certificate of Accomplishment, Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (GTAW)
- Certificate of Accomplishment, Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW)
Address: 4901 E. Carson St. Long Beach, CA 90808
Pasadena City College
About the School
Pasadena City College was founded in 1924.
It is recognized as one of the best community colleges in California and has been ranked #1 in the state for Associate Degrees granted, Associate Degrees for Transfer, Services for Veterans and many others.
Pasadena City College awards over a million dollars in scholarships to students each year.
Courses Offered
Prepare to work in the welding and metal working trades through Pasadena College’s Welding Technology program.
Earn an Associate in Science degree with a Certificate of Achievement in Construction Welding or Gas Tungsten and Gas Metal Welding, while gaining the knowledge and skills need to work as a welder, welder’s helper, cutting torch operator or apprentice fitter.
Address: 1570 E Colorado Blvd. Pasadena, CA 91106
Fullerton College
About the School
Fullerton College is the oldest community college that has been continuously operating in California.
Since its establishment in 1913, Fullerton has become one of the most successful community colleges in the United States.
The main mission of the school is to develop flexible pathways for individuals who seek educational and career growth.
Fullerton College completed a regular evaluation by the Accrediting Commission of Community and Junior Colleges (ACCJC).
Courses Offered
The Welding Technology Certificate is designed to prepare students to apply a variety of welding processes in the workplace.
The Welding program here at Fullerton College feeds into each of these high demand labor markets.
All full-time faculty are American Welding Society Certified Welding Inspectors.
Lab is registered as a Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety Approved Testing Agency.
Address: 321 E Chapman Avenue Fullerton, CA 92832
Los Angeles Pierce College
About the School
Pierce College is a two-year public institution founded back in 1947.
It is located on 426 acres and is only a few miles away from Southern California’s main attractions.
Pierce College is one of the top transfer schools in the state.
The school is accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges, Western Association of Schools and Colleges.
Courses Offered
Los Angeles Pierce College (LAPC) offers certificate and degree programs in the Welding discipline intended for students who are looking to develop their trade skills in Gas and Electric Welding.
- Associates Degree in Gas and Electric Welding
- Certificate of Achievement in Gas and Electric Welding
Address: 6201 Winnetka Ave Woodland Hills, CA 91371
Orange Coast College
About the School
Orange Coast College was founded in 1947.
Throughout the years, OCC has grown into one of the largest community colleges in the country.
The college enrolls over 25,000 students every semester.
OCC is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges.
Courses Offered
The Certificate of Achievement program in Welding Technology is for those who desire advanced knowledge of welding for employment as welding technicians, welding inspectors, welding engineers, welding supervisors, and advanced welders.
Students also completing the required general education requirements and electives may earn the Associate in Arts degree.
In addition, many OCC welding courses are transferable and can be used by those students who are interested in the welding engineering degree program at Ohio State University.
Whatever the case, a person’s chances for the job of their choice are much higher when they have the technical background as evidenced by earning OCC’s Certificate of Achievement in welding.
Address: 2701 Fairview Road Costa Mesa, CA 92626
Hacienda La Puente Adult Education
About the School
Hacienda La Puente Adult Education is a pre- and post-secondary institution that serves over 20,000 adults and high school students annually.
It offers entry-level and advanced courses in a variety of fields (technology, business, trades, health, and service careers).
The Adult School is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges.
Courses Offered
The Combination Welder program familiarizes students with the skills required to perform basic industrial welding.
The modular format includes theory and practical application in the following main areas: Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW), Oxy-Acetylene Gas Cutting, Gas Tungsten, Gas Tungsten Arch Welding (GTAW/TIG), Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW), Flux Cored Arc Welding (FCAW) and Plasma Cutting.
The course emphasizes equipment care and safety and produces entry-level proficient welders who are ready for certification.
Address: 14101 E. Nelson Ave La Puente, CA 91746
College of the Canyons
About the School
College of the Canyons was established in 1957.
It is an innovative institution of excellence that offers accessible education.
College of the Canyons is a two-year college that develops workforce skills, prepares students for transfer education, and supports the development of global responsibility.
Courses Offered
COC offers comprehensive training in various welding processes, as well as a full Welding Technology Course.
Course offerings range from very basic welding fundamentals to the most technically advanced.
Students gain skillfulness in safety procedures, applied theory, metal fabrication, and related welding processes.
Emphasis is placed on individual instruction. Instructors are AWS Certified Welding Inspectors/Educators.
Welding curriculum is aligned with the American Welding Society SENSE Entry Welder Program.
Upon successful completion of the program, students are prepared to enter into the following career opportunities: welder, welding inspector, welding technician/fitter, pipe fitter/welder, and metal fabricator.
Address: 26455 Rockwell Canyon Rd Santa Clarita, CA 91355
Welding Schools by City in California
- Bakersfield2 Schools
- Fresno2 Schools
- Los Angeles10 Schools
- Oakland5 Schools
- Riverside7 Schools
- Sacramento3 Schools
- San Diego2 Schools
- San Francisco6 Schools
- San Jose5 Schools