Welding

Welders are skilled professionals who specialize in joining metal parts using various welding techniques. These techniques include Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW), Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW), Flux-Cored Arc Welding (FCAW), Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (GTAW), and Submerged Arc Welding (SAW). Depending on the materials, joint design, and project requirements, welders select the appropriate technique to ensure strong and durable welds. Welding offers several career paths such as Pipefitter, Repair Shop Welder, Production Welder, Fabricator, Welding Engineer, Ironworker, Aerospace Welder and related fields.

Qualifications and Certifications

To become a certified welder in Massachusetts, you must meet specific qualifications and follow a structured process. First, you need practical experience, typically at least three years working under the supervision of a licensed welder. Education and training are also essential. Start with beginner welding classes to learn the basics, then advance to specialized courses that prepare you for certification exams.

You can pursue certifications through several reputable agencies:

American Welding Society (AWS), which offers various certification programs including Certified Welder (CW) and Certified Welding Inspector (CWI).
National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER), which offers programs that validate a welder's skills and knowledge.

To work for the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT), you will need to obtain a "green card" certificate. This certification is provided by the Massachusetts Board of State Examiners of Plumbers and Gas Fitters. This involves passing a practical welding exam and submitting an application with documentation of your work experience and training.

Local employment opportunities

Lenco Armored Vehicles in Pittsfield manufactures armored vehicles.
Casella offers various industrial services.
East Coast Refinishing & Surface Stripping in Pittsfield is a leading provider of welding and fabrication services.

These companies provide a range of opportunities for welders, from production and fabrication to repair and maintenance. The average salary of a welder in Berkshire County ranges between $55,000 and $77,000 annually.

Skills and Training

Welders need a combination of technical skills, attention to detail, manual dexterity, and physical stamina. Specific skills include:

Proficiency in various welding techniques.
Understanding blueprints and specifications.
Knowledge of safety standards and protocols.
Ability to inspect welds for structural integrity.

Check with MassHire Berkshire Career Center for training opportunities.

Welding/Metal Fabrication at Taconic High School

The Taconic High School Welding/Metal Fabrication Program effectively prepares students to enter the workforce as skilled welders, welder technicians, metal fabrication technicians and more.

Metal Fabrication and Joining Technologies

Metal Fabrication at McCann Technical School

Students in the metal fabrication program alternate instruction between sheet metal fabrication and welding thereby developing a complete set of metal working skills.

Metal Fabrication

Related occupations

Welding skills are highly transferable, opening doors to various related occupations in the metalworking and construction industries. Some of these related occupations include:

Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders: Professionals who set up, operate, or tend machines that weld, braze, solder, or heat treat metal products.
Tool and Die Makers: Specialists who create precision tools, dies, and special guiding and holding devices for manufacturing processes.
Structural Metal Fabricators and Fitters: Workers who fabricate and assemble structural metal products.
Structural Iron and Steel Workers: Professionals who install iron or steel beams, columns, and other structural elements.
Layout Workers, Metal and Plastic: Workers who layout reference points and dimensions on metal or plastic workpieces.
Insulation Workers, Mechanical: Specialists who install and replace the insulation around pipes, boilers, and other mechanical systems.
Insulation Workers, Floor, Ceiling, and Wall: Professionals who apply insulating materials to floors, ceilings, and walls of buildings.
Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installers: Workers who install drywall and ceiling tiles in buildings.
Carpenters: Skilled tradespeople who construct and repair building frameworks and structures.
Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers: Workers who assemble, fit, fasten, and install parts of aircraft structures and systems.

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