A student looking to attain a degree in welding can find it at one of the local community colleges or universities such as Lorain County Community College. This is one of the colleges in Ohio that provides the welding student a degree in welding, typically an associate's of applied science in welding. The colleges require 70 to 80 credit hours which includes courses outside of welding such as math, science, physics and English. The colleges then concentrate on training the student on pipe and plate welding with different types of welding techniques. Certification is received after a welding examination and the degree is achieved when all courses are completed.
Ohio has a variety of welding schools including schools that train students on metal arc welding, such as Hobart Institute of Welding. The student has a minimum of 20 percent of the training in a classroom setting and approximately 80 percent hands-on training. Metal inert gas (MIG) is the most common type of welding used in manufacturing and the welding of steel. Tungsten inert gas (TIG) is another type of welding found at these type of welding schools. The school trains students seeking to weld stainless steel or aluminum. A certification is received from the schools which qualifies the student to perform welding with MIG or TIG machines or welding equipment.
Welding academies are schools that concentrate on welding specific material. For example, the Elite Welding Academy in Ohio trains the welding student and certifies the student to weld different types of pipes. The welding courses found at this type of Ohio welding school concentrate on specific welding techniques, types of welding used to weld the pipes and the different types of pipes or material being welded. Structures, automobiles and pipes are made of different types of metals; the welding academies concentrate on the industry and the type of welding metals that are found in a specific industry.
This type of school trains the student in the use of robotic welding machines. Robotic welding is done with a welder operating a computer to run the robotics and weld material. Industries such as the automotive and manufacturing industries utilize robotic welding machines. The student can get everything from a robotic welding certification to an associate's or bachelor's degree in robotic welding. Most robotic welding schools in Ohio are found at the college or university level. Ohio Technical College is a good example of a robotic welding school. The master welders program at Ohio Technical College covers all types of welding with a concentration in welding technology, such as robotics.