Welder at Region Welding
at Region Welding in Union, MO
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.
About This Program
Region Welding sponsors a registered welder apprenticeship program in Union, Missouri. This non-union program provides a structured, paid training opportunity for individuals ready to enter the welding trade through a combination of hands-on work experience and formal technical instruction.
The apprenticeship runs for three years and comprises 6,000 hours of on-the-job training alongside 432 hours of related technical instruction. Apprentices learn essential welding skills including MIG, TIG, and shielded metal arc welding, along with blueprint reading, material preparation, joint fit-up, and welding safety. Training takes place in a real shop environment, giving apprentices the practical experience needed to perform welding tasks to professional standards.
At the conclusion of the program, graduates earn journey-level welder status and are prepared for careers in fabrication, manufacturing, construction, and repair. Union, Missouri's central location in the state supports access to a broad industrial job market, and skilled welders remain in steady demand throughout the region.
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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