Welding Schools in Portland

There are a few steps that anyone must follow before pursuing a welding career in Portland, Maine. Firstly, they must research the different types of welding jobs there are so that they may choose a specification.

Secondly, they may proceed to select an appropriate program from where they’ll receive the needed training to carry out their duties safely and effectively. And even though there are other steps after this, the process of actually choosing a welding school in which to study is often the most important part of the entire process.

How to Become a Welder in Portland

For those who want to become welders in Portland, Maine, and are having trouble choosing the right program, you have come to the right page. Below is an in-depth yet concise list of some of the most notable welder schools in and around Portland that should get you started.

Top Welding Schools in Portland, Maine

1. Northern Maine Community College

33 Edgemont Drive, Presque Isle, Maine 04769

Established in 1961, Northern Maine Community College trains 2000 students yearly, including future welders. Students can receive their education in a highly structured environment and graduate with the solid foundational knowledge needed to pursue AWS certification.

From here, students can go on to work in an array of industries, such as shipbuilding, manufacturing, and metal fabrication.

2. Southern Maine Community College

2 Fort Road, South Portland, Maine 04106

One of the appeals of Eastern Maine Community College lies in the school’s beautiful facilities. Here, aspiring welders can thrive in the presence of experienced instructors with years of experience shaping new professionals in the field.

Having been around since 1966, the school has enough credibility to continue to attract the brightest minds in the state. Students get the opportunity to choose between two distinct programs, which are the associate of applied science degree program that can last between one to two years and the certificate program that lasts for a year.

Students in the latter get to focus on SMAW, while the latter focuses on a wide range of techniques, including GMAW, GTAW, FCAW, and SMAW.

3. Washington County Community College

One College Dr. Calais, ME 04619

Washington County Community College has been around since 1969 and has produced thousands of successful welders. The school takes in around 450 students annually and purposefully maintains a small class size so that the instructor-to-student ratio is always optimal and students get to proceed at their own pace.

Among others, students get to become familiar with basic techniques in welding, safety principles, particulars of pipe welding, and more. The program itself contains 36 credit hours, and graduates can pursue careers in construction, fabrication, and shipbuilding.

4. New England School of Metalwork

7 Albiston Way Auburn, ME 04210

New England School of Metalwork offers courses in welding and related areas such as blade-smithing. Founded in 2000, the school is a nonprofit learning center that has provided numerous individuals around the area the opportunity to pursue successful careers thanks to a 13-week program that includes single-day sessions and night classes.

One of the highlights of the program is that students get to acquire all the knowledge that they need without feeling overwhelmed. This flexibility, along with the program’s comprehensiveness, makes it worthy of a position on our list.

Among the topics students learn here are safety protocols, symbol reading, fabrication, GMAW, GTAW, FCAW, and SMAW. Classes are available every weekday so that students can complete the program in the specified 13-week duration.

5. Beal University

99 Farm Rd. Bangor, ME 04401

Lastly, Beal University is another viable option for students around Portland, Maine, looking for a high-quality program in welding. The school has been around since 2020, and it continues to grow by taking in the best students in the area and offering them the opportunity to pursue an associate of applied science degree or diploma.

Students often go with the diploma program thanks to its fast-tracked nature, but the associate degree offers more comprehensive coursework.

Regardless of their choice, students in both programs graduate with a strong foundational knowledge of welding principles and pursue a career in most fields.