Welder at Most Wanted Welding
at Most Wanted Welding in Grand Junction, CO
About This Program
Most Wanted Welding sponsors a Welder apprenticeship based in Grand Junction, CO. This employer-sponsored, time-based program offers paid, practical training for individuals looking to develop professional welding skills in a real shop and field environment in western Colorado.
The program runs three years and includes 6,000 hours of on-the-job training paired with 432 hours of related technical instruction. Apprentices learn core and advanced welding processes including MIG, TIG, and stick welding, as well as metal preparation, joint fit-up, and inspection techniques. Classroom instruction covers welding theory, blueprint reading, metallurgy basics, and welding safety standards.
Graduates complete the program as skilled Welders ready to work across a range of industries, including construction, manufacturing, and fabrication. Apprentices are paid throughout their training, with earnings typically progressing as skills and responsibilities increase. Welding remains a versatile and in-demand trade, offering strong career opportunities throughout Colorado and the broader intermountain region.
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.
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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