Welder at Sahm Welding and Fabrication
at Sahm Welding and Fabrication in Washington, MO
About This Program
Sahm Welding and Fabrication sponsors a registered welder apprenticeship in Washington, Missouri. This non-union program provides a paid, hands-on training experience for individuals looking to build a career in the welding and metal fabrication trade.
Spanning three years, the program includes 6,000 hours of on-the-job training paired with 432 hours of related technical instruction. Apprentices work directly in a fabrication environment, learning welding processes such as MIG, TIG, and stick welding, as well as metal cutting, fitting, layout, and blueprint reading. Safety practices, weld inspection, and quality control are also emphasized to prepare apprentices for professional-level work.
Completing this apprenticeship leads to journey-level welder and fabricator qualifications. Graduates are positioned for careers in custom fabrication, manufacturing, and industrial maintenance — fields that consistently seek skilled welders in Missouri and surrounding regions. The earn-while-you-learn structure allows apprentices to enter the trade without carrying the burden of tuition debt.
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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