Decide on a course of study. There are many different types of welding. When you enroll in a course you should decide if you want to braze and solder, mig and tig weld, weld microscopically or even weld underwater.
Find a school. Welding schools, trade schools and even junior colleges all over the country offer welding courses. Check for accreditation when checking out your school. Ask if the instructors have been certified by the American Welding Society (AWS).
Go to class. As technology has advanced, the skills needed to be a good welder have increased. It is important to understand all of the technical and safety aspects of this field. The best way to be sure that you will be ready to weld when you are done is to work hard in the high-paced classes offered in modern welding courses.
Get certified, by an independent testing bureau. Organizations such as the AWS offer testing where a person can prove their mastery of a particular aspect or method of welding. Professional certification is attractive to employers and can mean higher pay and more respect on-the-job.