Structural Welding

The Structural Welding program at Elite Welding Academy is a deep dive into structural welding in multiple processes, designed to train individuals for the commercial and industrial industries in the area of structural welding. It is offered at the Cincinnati and South Point campuses.

The program teaches welding procedures in SMAW, GMAW and FCAW, with GTAW plate work in the second session, and covers all areas of welding safety, equipment set-up and maintenance. Throughout the program, students practice welding techniques and gain hands-on experience with welding equipment. The program is measured in clock hours and divided into two sessions of 300 clock hours each, totaling 600 clock hours, with 53 lecture hours and 547 lab hours. The only prerequisite is proof of a high school diploma or GED, and steel-toed boots are required. Upon successful completion of the curriculum, the student receives a Certificate of Completion for the Structural Welding Program.

Elite Welding Academy’s instructors are all former field pipe welders with years of experience, and the school keeps a student-to-instructor ratio of 18:1 so each student gets individualized attention. OSHA 10 training is incorporated in every course, and students who complete the course requirements early are given advanced work to help them reach the job they want.

• A six-month course with less study time, a more focused curriculum and hands-on learning.
• About 90% of each programme takes place in the lab, and the materials cage is always full — the school wants students burning rods every day.
• The Cincinnati campus has over 7,000 square feet of lab, office and classroom space with 54 dedicated welding booths, plus cutting, grinding and prep areas; booths are equipped with the latest welding power sources, tables and fixtures, with carbon and stainless-steel consumables on hand.
• The South Point campus offers booths and simulator spaces, a dedicated classroom for lectures and demonstrations, and cutting, grinding and preparation areas.
• Every Elite location is an AWS Accredited Test Facility offering weld testing, weld procedure writing and weld procedure training, and all of the school’s CWIs have field welding experience.
• Placement support continues throughout your welding career.

To be admitted to Elite Welding Academy you must:

• Be at least 18 years of age, or turn 18 before the end of the programme (identification and the signature of a parent or guardian are then required).
• Submit proof of a high school diploma or GED.
• Be in good physical condition, as welding is a physical activity.
• Be serious about pursuing a career in welding and be able to read, write and understand English.

It is strongly advised that your vision be evaluated and corrected before the programme’s start date. This is not a requirement, but it will help you succeed in your welding programme.

Physical impairment does not preclude admission. Individuals with disabilities should consult their physician and the school director to determine whether the training requirements can be accomplished, and Elite will assist with reasonable accommodation where possible so a qualified student with a disability has equal access to a course, programme, service or activity. Drug testing is not currently required for admission.

The Structural Welding program is a night program. Classes are held Monday through Thursday from 4:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m., 24 hours per week, and the program is about 25 weeks long. The number of hours per week may vary with the holiday schedule; the school observes New Year’s Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, the Friday after Thanksgiving and Christmas Day.

2026 night class start dates (Cincinnati and South Point):

January 12 (ends July 7, 2026); March 9 (ends September 3, 2026); May 11 (ends November 4, 2026); July 13 (ends January 13, 2027); September 14 (ends March 11, 2027); November 9 (ends May 6, 2027).

Additional start dates may be available in February, April, June, August, October and December; check with each campus. Enrollment must be initiated at least two weeks before each start date, or six weeks or more if you are applying for financial aid.

Costs. Tuition is $4,785 per 300-hour session. Session 1 tools are $1,043.47 and supplies $1,365.73; Session 2 tools are $479.58 and supplies $1,659.62. The total for tuition, tools and supplies with the $100 admission fee is $14,218.40. The tools are yours to keep and will be needed in the field. Costs will not change once you have enrolled.

Payment. Full payment is due before the start. Payment plans are available for quarterly payments in increments of 7 or 10 weeks, and each out-of-pocket term may be paid in two installments. Accepted methods: cash, check, VA, WIOA, FA (Title IV), DOE, money order, and credit/debit card via PayPal.

Financial aid. Elite offers Federal Pell Grants and federal student loans through the FAFSA (Title IV code 042067 for both campuses), and Parent PLUS loans up to the cost of attendance for parents of dependent students. Over 90% of students who applied for financial aid in recent years received an award offer. Elite is approved for veterans’ benefits, works with WIOA offices in Ohio, Kentucky, West Virginia and Indiana, and lists Lumion as an alternative loan option. Outside scholarships include the American Welding Society’s $1,000 Welder Training Scholarship.

The program trains individuals for structural welding in the commercial and industrial industries and for manufacturing welding. Graduates will have the skills and knowledge to find employment in weld shops, manufacturing/production facilities and commercial/industrial construction. Structural welders can be found working in new building construction, highway infrastructure and equipment manufacturing, and seasoned structural welders also teach in career and technical centers.

Placement assistance. Elite cannot guarantee employment or a starting rate of pay, but all graduates are entitled to placement assistance. Staff seek job openings for current and past graduates, post leads in the classroom and email graduates, and help with resumes, interview preparation and job-search strategies. Graduates are invited back to practice for employment weld tests, with five free booth rental days and heavily discounted booth rental rates. Placement rates vary by location; call 888-272-3809 for placement statistics.

Hands-on training. About 90% of the program takes place in the lab. Classes have a maximum of 54 students with a student-to-instructor ratio of 18 to 1, and the curriculum is based on NCCER standardized curricula developed by industry for the industry.

Tools. Your tool kit — including a welding hood, grinder, electrode holder and leads, gloves, weld jacket and tool bag in Session 1, and a TIG torch and TIG consumables in Session 2 — is your property. Due to OSHA and school safety standards you must use the approved tools and PPE.

Grading. NCCER module grades are recorded as a percentage, and you must keep 70% or above on each module. You must also pass hands-on welding tests graded by a Certified Welding Inspector.

Certificate. To receive the Certificate of Completion you must score 3 or above on the CWI scale on the final weld test (based on AWS certification test standards), pass all NCCER module tests at 70% or above, miss no more than 5% (30 hours) of training, and meet your financial obligations to the school.