Arizona Automotive Institute (AAI)

6829 N 46th Ave

Glendale, AZ 85301

Phone: (623) 934-7273

Notes: This welding school in Arizona offers a “combination welding” course. This means that all of the common welding process will be taught to to you including SMAW (stick welding), MIG welding, TIG welding and also flux cored welding. You will also cover torch cutting and technical class information like blueprint reading.

East Valley Institute of Technology (EVIT)

1601 W Main St

Mesa, AZ 85201

Phone:(480) 461-4000

Notes: EVIT offers a welding program that is about 620 hours long, this usually takes about nine to ten months. Welder certification through the AWS is offered which is excellent. Being a certified welder will open a lot more doors for you when you are searching for your first welding job. You can learn more about welding certifications here.

Maricopa Skill Center

1245 E Buckeye Rd

Phoenix, AZ 85034

Phone:(602) 238-4300

Notes: The Maricopa Skill Center is unique in the fact that you can choose single courses to take if you wish. If you only want to learn stick welding then you can take that class only. They also offer a combination welding class that covers stick (SMAW), MIG and TIG welding. Within each program you will also take a welding certification test. Becoming a certified welder will help you prove your skill to potential employers.

Mesa Community College

Address: 1833 W Southern Ave

Mesa, AZ 85202

Phone:(480) 461-7000

Notes: Mesa Community College offers an excellent, top notch welding program. You will receive a a comprehensive education and will earn an Associate in Applied Science Degree (AAS) in welding. Having a Associates Degree in welding will help you in the future as you gain experience as a welder and will allow you to move into management positions. The courses that you will take in this program range from blueprint welding to weld inspection. If attaining an Associate’s Degree is not important to you then you may want to look at these other options that Mesa Community College also offers a Certificate of Completion (CCL) in Welding and Certificate of Completion (CCL) in Manufacturing Welding.

Northland Pioneer College

Address: 1001 W Deuce of Clubs

Show Low, AZ 85901

Phone:(928) 532-6111

Notes: Northland Pioneer College is one of the best welding schools in Arizona, you can look at some independent student reviews here. This welding school offers a program that will earn you an Associate of Applied Science, Certificate of Applied Science or Certificates of Proficiency in welding depending on which welding program you choose to complete. You will get a comprehensive welding education that will cover all welding and metal cutting processes.

Central Arizona College

North 85228, 8470 N Overfield Rd

Coolidge, AZ 85128

Phone:(800) 237-9814

Notes: This welding school offers a certificate in welding. I do not have a lot of information on this program.

Glendale Community College

6000 W Olive Ave

Glendale, AZ 85302

Phone: (623) 845-3333

Notes: Glendale Community College offers two welding classes. These are perfect for someone that wants to learn a few basic welding skills, is interested in hobby/farm welding or if you are unsure if welding is for you. This is not a welding school that will train you or prepare you for a full time welding career.

Yavapai College

1100 E Sheldon St

Prescott, AZ 86301

Phone: (928) 445-7300

Notes: Classes on stick welding, possibly more. I do not have much information on this welding school.

Eastern Arizona College

615 N Stadium Ave

Thatcher, AZ 85552

Phone: (928) 428-8472

Notes: Eastern Arizona College is one of the best welding schools in Arizona. They offer a fast track welding program or you may earn your Associate of Applied Science Degree in Welding technology.  You can take a look at their course catalog if you want.  This welding school will cover everything from torch cutting, blueprint reading, SMAW (Stick/Arc), GTAW (TIG), GMAW (MIG) and FCAW (Flux Cored). With all of the skills learned you will be able to easily pass a welding certification test and find employment with a reputable company.

GateWay Community College

108 N 40th St

Phoenix, AZ 85034

Phone: (602) 286-8000

Notes: GateWay offers something unique that I have not seen before, an Associate in Applied Science Degree in Construction Trades: Ironworking. I really do not want to comment on this because I do not have any first hand knowledge of this type of degree. I will say that if you have a fear of heights this may not be the career path for you.

Pima Community College

1255 N Stone Ave

Tucson, AZ 85709

Phone: (520) 206-4500

Notes: Pima Community College offers a wide variety of classes that you can take. You can look at the available classes here. If you are interested in obtaining an Associate of Applied Science Degree it will require 60 credits which generally takes two years or less. You will learn everything you need to know in order to become a welder.

Local 75 Ironworkers Apprenticeships

330 E. Maricopa Freeway
Phoenix, AZ 85004
Phone: 602-276-6055

An apprenticeship can pay off big in more ways than one. While the Ironworkers union is not just about welding it does involve some welding and much more. Learn how to erect steel structures, climb a column and how to weld. The best part about being an apprentice is that you get paid while you learn, often times over 20 dollars per hour. You will have on the job training as well as in classroom study.

If you have any issues with balance or fear of heights this is not the job for you!

Local 469 Plumbers and Pipefitters Apprenticeships

2950 West Thomas Road

Phoenix, AZ 85107

Phone: (602) 269-8213

Local 469 Pipefitters Union has a long history in the state of Arizona. They offer an excellent 5 year apprenticeship that will teach you more than you could ever imagine from welding to installation of medical gas lines. You can easily earn an Associate’s Degree if you so choose. They pay and benefits are excellent even as a first year apprenticeship.