Welder at Lee Plumbing and Welding
at Lee Plumbing and Welding in Belgrade, MT
About This Program
Lee Plumbing and Welding sponsors a registered welder apprenticeship program in Belgrade, Montana. This non-union, employer-sponsored program offers a paid training path for individuals looking to build welding skills in a hands-on environment that serves both residential and commercial clients across the region.
The apprenticeship runs for three years and includes 6,000 hours of on-the-job training combined with 432 hours of related technical instruction. Apprentices learn welding fundamentals and practical applications including MIG, TIG, and stick welding, as well as metal preparation, pipe and structural welding, blueprint reading, and job site safety. The combination of plumbing and welding operations at the sponsor provides apprentices with exposure to real-world service and construction projects.
Graduates earn journey-level welder status upon program completion and are prepared to work across fabrication, construction, and service-based welding environments. Montana's growing construction and energy sectors create steady demand for skilled welders, making this apprenticeship a solid foundation for a durable career in the trades.
Wage & Training
Journeyman Wage
$24
OJT Hours
6,000
RTI Hours
432
Duration
3 years
Wage data is the national median for this occupation (BLS, May 2023), not specific to this program.
How to Apply
Welder Career Outlook
National Median
$23.81/hr
~$49,524.8/yr
Apprentice Start
$15.5/hr
Earn while you learn
Job Outlook
Employment for welders is projected to remain steady with consistent demand driven by infrastructure spending, manufacturing, and energy sector projects. Aging infrastructure across the U.S. requires ongoing repair and replacement, creating sustained need for skilled welders. Retirements in the current workforce are expected to generate additional openings over the next decade.
What to Expect as a Welder Apprentice
Duration
3 years of combined on-the-job training and classroom instruction
On-the-Job Training
~40 hours/week of hands-on work under journeyman supervision (6,000 total hours)
Classroom Instruction
432 hours of related technical instruction (~144 hours/year)
Paid Training
You earn a wage from day one, starting at a percentage of the journeyman rate and increasing as you progress
Time-based program: You'll progress through the program based on completing a set number of hours in both on-the-job training and classroom instruction.
Trade School vs. Apprenticeship for Welder
Apprenticeship
Trade School
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