Welder at Parham's Welding & Fabrication
at Parham's Welding & Fabrication in Prince George, VA
About This Program
Parham's Welding & Fabrication sponsors a registered Welder Apprenticeship in Prince George, VA. This employer-sponsored, non-union program gives individuals in the Central Virginia region a structured path into the welding trade, with wages earned throughout the full training period.
The apprenticeship runs three years and combines 6,000 hours of on-the-job training with 432 hours of related technical instruction. Working directly with experienced welders and fabricators, apprentices build skills in welding processes, metal preparation and cutting, structural and custom fabrication, and equipment operation. Technical instruction covers blueprint reading, welding codes and symbols, metallurgy, and occupational safety practices.
Upon completion, graduates are recognized as journey-level welders with verifiable, structured training credentials. The welding and fabrication industry in Virginia supports employment in manufacturing, construction, and government contracting, offering graduates multiple directions for career development after completing the program.
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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