Combination Welder I

Course objective. Prepares students for entry-level employment in manufacturing, structural steel, and pipe welding. The student will obtain the ability to read and understand fabrication fundamentals, welding drawings, and layouts. In addition, students will be able to demonstrate and gain essential workforce skills: solving problems effectively, managing time, receiving feedback constructively, and developing target resumes. All classroom time is the same in both Combination Welder I and II Programs.

Course description. The welding disciplines covered in this course are 5 weeks (200 hours) of Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW)/Flux Core Arc Welding (FCAW), 6 weeks (240 hours) of Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW) on plate and pipe welding, and 1 week (40 hours) of Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (GTAW). Other areas of study include safety, basic trade math, equipment maintenance, fabrication fundamentals, thermal cutting and quality control and inspection.

Upon successful completion of the course the student should be:

• Able to understand the different wires, shielding gasses and transfer modes associated with GMAW and FCAW.
• Able to understand welding symbols, blueprints and pipe layouts.
• Able to understand the different electrodes and the applications associated with SMAW.
• Equipped with the skills to perform plate weld qualifications in GMAW, FCAW & SMAW processes to the America Welding Society (AWS) D1.1/D1.1M current standards.
• Equipped with the skills to perform pipe weld qualification in SMAW processes to the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) current standards.

Additional Essential Workforce Skills.

• Demonstrate the ability to analyze and evaluate issues with welding equipment to implement effective solutions.
• Exhibit self-awareness, self-efficacy, and self-regulation to effectively oversee one's own well-being, ensuring personal growth and the attainment of individual objectives.
• Identify and address improvements in their skills to better achieve personal goals by actively listening to feedback.
• Demonstrate ability to pursue, attract, and secure career opportunities aligned to personal interests and qualifications.

Credential. Students who have successfully completed a course will earn a Certificate of Completion.

Student to Teacher Ratio. Our 15:1 student to instructor ratio ensures personalized attention where students receive individualized support to excel in their training journey.

Industry Based Curriculum. We prioritize industry-based curriculum to ensure students gain practical skills and knowledge aligned with current industry standards, enhancing their employability and success in the field.

Experienced Instructors with Diversified Skills. All of our instructors joined LWT with real world, industry experience first. With diverse backgrounds ranging across multiple industries, processes and metals.

Certified AWS-ATS. To become a certified American Welding Society test facility, LWT had to undergo comprehensive evaluation and meets strict criteria for equipment, personnel, and procedures, ensuring consistent and reliable testing standards. LWT received the designation in 2018- the only location in ND.

Welding booths. The welding booths utilized at all locations were custom designed by LWT and are over-sized booths that are metal on three sides with a center post welding station that allows for instruction in multiple welding positions and disciplines. Each booth has its own multi-process welding machine, other necessary equipment, and an adjustable table to custom-fit every welder.

Entrance into our training program is open to almost any prospective student with a desire to learn how to weld. You must provide a copy of a valid high school diploma, GED, or academic transcripts to be eligible for the 480 Hour Combination Welder I Program or 640 Hour Combination Welder II Program. All foreign Diplomas/Transcripts must be translated in English and certified by a National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) recognized agency or equivalent; LWT will also accept a secondary school completion credential for homeschool from the state and accredited entity the homeschool credential was completed in.

Potential students are encouraged to visit the school to discuss their employment goals with the staff to help determine which course(s) best suits them. Personal interviews by phone or in person are required for admission.

Day classes. All full-time day classes meet daily, Monday through Friday from 7:00 am – 3:30 pm. The net instructional hours of our day class(es) are 8 clock hours per day, 5 days per week, 40 clock hours per week. Students are allowed one half hour for lunch.

Night classes. All full-time night classes meet Monday through Friday 4:00 pm – 10:00 pm, unless otherwise specified. The net instructional hours are 6 clock hours per day, 5 days per week, 30 clock hours per week. Night courses are offered at select campuses.

Start dates. The catalog's course schedule lists only Combination Welder II dates; contact admissions for Combination Welder I start dates.

All enrollment documents must be completed prior to the first day of class. Orientation for each class is held on the first day of instruction unless otherwise announced. LWT is closed on New Years Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day and the following Friday, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

Cost. Tuition $12,450; Shop Lab Fee $2,125; Course Materials/Textbooks $525; Safety Gear Package (optional) $750. Total tuition and safety gear package $15,850; $15,100 without Safety Gear Package. Tuition is based on the course length and time of day.

Payment. Tuition and welding supplies (if applicable) must be paid in full before the student starts the first day of class unless a funding commitment letter has been received from a pre-approved outside funding source or agency for the tuition. LWT accepts cashier’s checks, money orders, checks, Visa, MasterCard and Discover. A downpayment of $100 is required to reserve a seat in an upcoming class. All required documents and payment arrangements are preferred to be received two weeks prior to the start date.

Supplies. Leather steel toe boots are required but are not available to purchase through the school. Students are required to purchase a corded grinder for the Pipe Skills Courses and the Combination Welder I and II Programs; it is recommended an 11 amp, 11,000 RMP, 4.5” corded grinder be purchased, and ALL grinders must have a safety guard. All students are required to have a welding jacket, welding gloves, safety glasses, auto darkening helmet with extra lenses, welders cap, fillet weld gage and welper pliers for the first day of instruction; these can be purchased through the school as the Safety Gear Package ($750), which is nonrefundable once purchased.

Federal financial aid. Students interested in enrolling in the 480 Hour Combination Welder I Program can apply for financial aid (must meet eligibility requirements). Combination Welder I Program is eligible for Direct Loans only (Direct Subsidized, Unsubsidized and PLUS loans); it is not eligible for Federal Pell Grants. Visit https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa to fill out an application (LWT school code G42235) or contact our financial aid department at financialaid@learntoweld.com.

Other funding.

• GI Bill® funding: LWT’s 120-hour classes and higher are approved for Veterans education benefits on the GI Bill® (including Chapter 31 VA Vocational Rehabilitation).
• Department of Defense Tuition Assistance Program (TA): if you are an active member in the military, you may be eligible for TA through the DoD; prior to enrollment each service member should talk with their Education Counselors.
• Bank of North Dakota DEAL Student Loan: for ND residents or students enrolling at a ND LWT location.
• Trade Adjustment Act (TAA), Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA), Division of Vocational Rehabilitation and Motivational Educational Training, Inc. (MET, Inc.) may help eligible students; scholarships are listed at https://learntoweld.com/financial/scholarships/.

Net Price Calculator. Estimate your cost with LWT's net price calculator: https://learntoweld.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/index.html

Prepares students for entry-level employment in manufacturing, structural steel, and pipe welding.

Graduation and employment rates (Bismarck, ND branch location). 480 Hour Combination Welder I Program, December 1st, 2023 – November 30th, 2024 (50 enrolled, 45 graduates): 90% Graduation Rate, 75% Employment Rate. These rates represent students who graduated within the specified time and were submitted by LWT on the 2025 Annual Report to the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges.

Employment assistance. To assist our students in becoming employed welders, we make every attempt to expose our students to employment opportunities in the local and regional market. On a regular basis, LWT hosts local employers and employment agencies to address the students and let them know of the opportunities available in the marketplace in the welding industry. Students receive assistance to build an industry-specific resume and participate in mock interviews prior to graduation, and an alumnus who is seeking their first welding career opportunity is invited to return to LWT to practice, without cost, for up to 2 hours (requested within 60 days of graduation).

No employment is guaranteed as a result of this education.