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Welding Specialist
The best welding training starts at RSI. As one of the top welding schools in Arizona, our Welding Specialist program prepares you for a career in welding and metal fabrication.
Duration:
7 months
Campus Availability:
- Phoenix, AZ
Upcoming Start Dates:
Dec. 1, 2025 & Jan. 12, 2026
START TRAINING FOR YOUR WELDING CAREER TODAY
The goal of RSI’s Welding Specialist program is to provide practical, hands-on training for welding that prepares students for entry-level positions working with thin alloy, structural steel, and pipeline systems.
These types of welding have applications in several key industries: construction, transportation, manufacturing, petroleum and many more.
In RSI’s Welding Specialist program, students receive hands-on training in core welding processes with widespread industry applications:
- shielded metal arc welding (SMAW)
- gas metal arc welding (GMAW)
- flux-cored arc welding (FCAW)
- gas tungsten arc welding (GTAW)
Your welding classes, whether taken during the day or through available welding night classes and weekend welding classes, will teach core welding procedures such as:
- how to prepare arc welding equipment
- how to cut metal using thermal torch techniques, and
- how to prevent weld distortion
Welding safety best practices and basic metallurgy are also taught.
Advanced Welding Career Opportunities
Students earn a diploma after successfully completing RSI’s Welding Specialist program, a hands-on pathway offered by one of the top welding schools in Arizona. This training for welding is designed to help students prepare for the American Welding Society welder certification and similar employer tests. These certifications can significantly improve your chances of qualifying for advanced welding career opportunities.
RSI offers a focused, hands-on welding program with plenty of benefits for students.
- Time: Complete your welder training in as little as 7 months!
- Small Class Sizes: 20:1 student-teacher ratio.
- Flexible Scheduling: Welding lab takes only 5 hours per day, 4 days a week (75% of your training time); the other day is spent in class. With morning, afternoon, evening, weekend and overnight welding courses available, you can work while you train.
- Industry Standard Equipment: Train on the same kinds of equipment you could use when you get a job, such as welding machines, plasma and track cutters, and bench grinders.
- Experienced, Professional Instructors: Learn from welders who know the industry firsthand from experience.
Where Welding Training from RSI Can Take You
Graduating from The Refrigeration School’s Welding Specialist program can open the door to entry-level welding careers across industries that keep our world moving. With training for welding that is in demand nationwide**, RSI prepares students for real opportunities in fields like construction, manufacturing, transportation, and energy. As one of the most established welding schools in Arizona, RSI gives you the hands-on experience and technical foundation needed to qualify for welding jobs in high-demand sectors. Whether you're looking to work locally or pursue jobs across the country, your welding classes at RSI can help you get there.
Welding Career Titles
- Welding helper/apprentice
- First/second/third class welder
- Journeyman welder
- Pipefitter
- Sheet metal welder
- Steel welder
- Underwater welder
- Fabrication welder
- Welder-fitter
- Brazer
- Cutter
- Sub-arc operator
- Aluminum welder
Work Types
- New construction
- Ship building/repair
- Shut downs
- Manufacturing
- Sports arenas
- Amusement parks
- Water parks
- Oil rigs
- Turn arounds
- Boiler & power plants
- Pipelines
- Machinery maintenance
- Submarines
- Mine maintenance
Employers
- US Government
- Shipyards
- Oil & gas industry
- Contractors
- Private industry
- Entertainment company
- Power plants
- Aerospace companies
- Railroad and transit industries
- Agriculture
- Fab shops
- Automotive shops
- Construction companies
- Pharmaceutical plants
- Copper mines
- Military
Night & Weekend Welding Classes Available
Welding night and weekend classes give you the flexibility to train for a new career without putting your life on hold. Whether you’re working a day job or managing a busy schedule, these class times make it possible to keep earning while you learn. You’ll gain hands-on skills alongside other motivated students, preparing for opportunities in a high-demand trade** on a schedule that works for you.
Employment is Expected to Grow for Welding in the US by 45,800 Jobs by 2033!**
A Welding School with Flexible Class Schedules
Morning, Afternoon, Evening, Weekend and Overnight Classes Available
Whether you’re just graduating from high school, changing your career or transitioning from military to civilian life, RSI is one of the welding schools in Arizona that offers truly flexible welding class schedules.
We’ll help you find the right program and the right schedule to set you up for success. Contact us for more information on upcoming class times and start dates for the Welding Specialist program.
Welding Specialist Class Start Dates
Class Schedules (Monday-Friday)
- Morning 7am-12:15pm
- Afternoon 12:45pm-6pm
- Evening 6:30pm-11:45pm
- Overnight 12:00am-5:15am
Weekend Schedule
- Tue/Thu (Classroom) 6:30pm-9:00pm
- Sat/Sun (Lab Days) 8:00am-6:00pm
HYBRID INSTRUCTION
At RSI, we know you’re here to build real-world skills, not spend endless hours in a classroom. That’s why we offer a flexible online hybrid model, allowing you to complete the theoretical parts of your welding training program online, as long as it’s done by the deadline. When you’re on campus, your time is spent where it counts: hands-on in the lab with tools, equipment, and expert instructors.
This approach gives you the freedom to balance school with other responsibilities, while still getting the hands-on training you need for a successful career in the skilled trades.
Jumpstart Your Welding Career with RSI Scholarships
Empower your journey toward a rewarding career in welding. The Refrigeration School, Inc. offers a diverse portfolio of scholarships — both RSI-provided and external — tailored to help you succeed.
Explore, apply early, and let RSI’s advisors help guide your financial-aid journey.
Experiences & Opportunities
Resources for RSI Students
Virtual Tour
Take a virtual tour of our campuses! Explore the classrooms, labs and shop floor with our unique interactive experience.
Employer Partnerships
RSI has partnerships with major employers across the United States and even internationally. Our dedicated Career Services team will be there to support you every step of the way after graduation.
The Right Tools for the Job
When you begin your education at RSI, we provide you with an extensive gear package. You get the high quality professional tools you need to succeed. Ask your admissions representative for more information about the gear package for your program.
Financial Aid & Scholarship Opportunities
Paying for training doesn’t have to be a barrier. At RSI, we’ll help you explore all your options, including federal financial aid, scholarships, grants, and payment plans if you qualify. Our team can work with you one-on-one to find a path that fits your ideal needs.
Ready to Move Forward?
All it takes to move forward is making that first step. Whether you need more information, schedule a tour or want to speak to someone, we’re with you every step of the way.
Are YOU ready to change your life?
Listen to these RSI graduates who changed theirs.
We all come from different walks of life, and different circumstances, but it’s the hard work we do and the blood sweat and tears put in to make us who we are today. The Refrigeration School gave them the structure and support they needed to pursue HVAC careers with purpose and direction. It only takes one decision to begin your path toward a better job and a better life.
Watch their stories and see how HVAC training at RSI helped them succeed:
Michael - HVAC/R Graduate
From hitting rock bottom to owning his own business, Michael was able to take control of his life and be the hero his community needed. RSI was able to guide him on the path to success - Hear his story on how RSI changed his life.
Patrick - HVAC/R Graduate
After returning from service in Afghanistan, Patrick started a career in the hospitality industry to continue to serve his community. When constant equipment breakdowns in the kitchen introduced him to the HVAC/R trade, he saw an opportunity for more freedom and better earning potential. He enrolled at RSI, graduated in just six months, and immediately entered the field, eventually launching his own business. Hear his story on how RSI changed his life.
Program Courses for Welding Specialist
Welding Fundamentals
WLD101
This course is designed to provide the student with a wide range of fundamental information about a career in welding and to begin building critical welding skills. Students learn about career opportunities and the importance of safety awareness that will be reinforced in later laboratory exercises. Other fundamental skills include learning the basic layout of construction drawings and how to read and correctly interpret welding symbols. Students learn thermal torch techniques to cut flat stock. They will also learn and use Plasma Cutting and Carbon Arc gouging procedures. As they begin to learn about arc welding processes, students learn to set up welding equipment, the components of an arc welding machine, and the various types of electrodes used in arc welding procedures. Using an E7018 electrode, students begin by practicing basic SMAW welding processes and technique. Project assignments allow students an opportunity to practice and develop welding and cutting skills.
Requirements
- 4 Semester Credit Hours
- 25 Lecture Hours
- 100 Lab Hours
- 125 Total Contact Hours
- 7 Outside Prep Hours
GMAW/FCAW Processes
WLD105
This course is designed to introduce students to two new and related welding processes. GMAW or MIG uses a torch designed to provide a shielding gas for the weld and an automatic wire feed system that provides a constant feed of the filler metal. FCAW or Fluxcore uses a similar torch but uses a powdered flux to shield the weld. These processes are a considerable departure from processes previously used. Students learn to set up and operate GMAW/FCAW welding equipment. These processes are applied in different combinations for welding plate in various basic positions. Students learn to correctly prepare pipe for GMAW/FCAW welding processes. In addition, as part of an expanding knowledge about construction drawings, students learn about isometric drawings and their importance as a three-dimensional picture of an object.
Requirements
- Prerequisite Course(s): WLD101, WLD110, WLD115, & WLD120
- 4 Semester Credit Hours
- 25 Lecture Hours
- 100 Lab Hours
- 125 Total Contact Hours
- 7 Outside Prep Hours
Structural Welding
WLD110
This course essentially focuses on developing flat welding techniques in three basic positions and builds on the fundamental knowledge and skills learned in WLD101. SMAW processes are used to practice weld technique and perform basic butt welds using mild steel. Two primary welding electrodes are applied to various welding exercises and students learn fundamental procedures related to root pass and fill welds. Students continue to build their skills through a series of project exercises designed to reinforce skills and knowledge learned. Students expand their knowledge about related welding diagrams and drawings and methods of coding various types of metal. Drawings are used to communicate lab project information and reinforce reading and interpreting welding symbols. Students are also introduced to basic destructive weld testing techniques and the importance of quality welds to achieve maximum strength and integrity of the metal. Basic principles of metallurgy explain to students the changes in metals’ internal structure during the heating and cooling processes. Students are also introduced to welding pipe. The challenge is to weld consistently while moving around the pipe. Five-inch diameter pipe is cut using thermal processes and prepared for welding. For the exercise, students weld pipe in only one basic position.
Requirements
- Prerequisite Course(s): WLD101
- 4 Semester Credit Hours
- 25 Lecture Hours
- 100 Lab Hours
- 125 Total Contact Hours
- 7 Outside Prep Hours
Pipe Welding
WLD115
This course presents new challenges from the first two courses. Students expand their knowledge and skills to perform and practice basic pipe welding techniques using two welding processes (SMAW & GTAW). The GTAW process is introduced and students practice performing basic root welds on pipe coupons. The remainder of the welding procedure applies SMAW processes to complete the fill and cap welds. Reading and interpreting basic pipe drawings, students cut pipe coupons to length and bevel the pipe ends using thermal and mechanical beveling processes. Students face their first experience at practicing uphill and other welding techniques simultaneously. They practice welding in multiple positions as they travel around the pipe to complete the weld. Also, as a continuation of basic metallurgy, students learn various techniques for identifying types of metal using visual and mechanical testing techniques.
Requirements
- Prerequisite Course(s): WLD101 & WLD110
- 4 Semester Credit Hours
- 25 Lecture Hours
- 100 Lab Hours
- 125 Total Contact Hours
- 7 Outside Prep Hours
Advanced Pipe Welding
WLD120
Students continue to develop, apply and practice their pipe welding skills. Mild steel pipe is welded in various positions using primarily GTAW (TIG) welding processes. In addition, students learn to use stainless steel electrodes to weld high carbon steel. Using two-inch diameter pipe, students practice using the GTAW process to weld the root and complete the fill and cap portion of the weld using SMAW processes. They also learn to properly rig and balance pipe loads, use hand signal communication to the crane operator, and lift and place pipe in preparation for welding operations. Most pipe welding is performed in an open environment using various types of portable welding equipment. Students learn to set up and safely operate portable welding units for structural and pipe welding operations. Emphasis is given to awareness about electrical safety and steps necessary to prevent electrical shock.
Requirements
- Prerequisite Course(s): WLD101, WLD110, & WLD115
- 4 Semester Credit Hours
- 25 Lecture Hours
- 100 Lab Hours
- 125 Total Contact Hours
- 7 Outside Prep Hours
Welding Capstone
WLD125
The welding capstone course is a transition course from the classroom to the field. Students are challenged in the laboratory to use all the welding knowledge and skills they have gained in a series of exercises designed to reinforce prior instruction, hone skills, and practice production rates that meet industry standards. Students are given three possible options they can pursue to complete course requirements. The selection of the option depends on the method students intend to apply after graduation.
Requirements
- Prerequisite Course(s): WLD101, WLD105, WLD110, WLD115, & WLD120
- 4 Semester Credit Hours
- 25 Lecture Hours
- 100 Lab Hours
- 125 Total Contact Hours
- 7 Outside Prep Hours
ALL New Welding School Students Get an Oculus Quest 2 loaded with OcuWeld Training Software!
RSI is excited to launch OcuWeld utilizing Virtual Reality (VR) to enhance your welding training. OcuWeld is a new and innovative Virtual Reality (VR) welding simulator designed by expert welding instructors for our welding students.
You can access OcuWeld anytime, anywhere – with or without WIFI. It enables you to practice your welding skills as part of our program here at RSI and the Oculus Quest 2 is yours to keep!
