Welding contractors and manufacturers require welders to fabricate from blueprints. Welders must read the blueprint, lay out the job, fixture, and weld. This process requires a layout background of sheet metals, structural, and pipe. There are more job openings for welders than qualified graduates. Career Opportunities Opportunities may vary greatly from indoor work in manufacturing to specialized welding of stainless and aluminum.
Many welders choose to work outdoors and travel for service or construction contractors.
Many job openings are available to graduates in construction, bridge work, industrial fabrication, and pipe installation. A number of Ridgewater graduates have gone on to operate their own businesses, experiencing the satisfaction of independence, travel, and excellent income. Shop equipment is the type found in industry. Classroom instruction is related directly to shop work so a student will learn in the classroom, then reinforce the learning by performance in the shop. Using this quality control inspection method, students always have feedback on the quality of their welds.