Welder at Southland Steel Fabricators, Inc. Welding
at Southland Steel Fabricators, Inc. Welding in Amite, LA
About This Program
Southland Steel Fabricators, Inc. sponsors a Welder apprenticeship in Amite, LA. This employer-sponsored, time-based program offers paid training in professional welding and steel fabrication for apprentices entering the trade at an established structural steel and fabrication operation in southeastern Louisiana.
The three-year program includes 6,000 hours of on-the-job training and 432 hours of related technical instruction. Apprentices gain hands-on experience in welding processes relevant to structural steel fabrication, including MIG, stick, and flux-core welding, as well as fitting, grinding, and quality control. Technical coursework addresses welding theory, weld symbols, blueprint reading, structural steel fabrication standards, and safety requirements.
Completing the program prepares graduates to work as skilled Welders and fabricators in industrial and structural settings. Apprentices earn wages throughout the program, with compensation typically increasing as they advance. Louisiana's petrochemical, construction, and industrial sectors provide robust long-term career opportunities for trained welders with fabrication experience.
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
Licensing in Louisiana
Welders in Louisiana are required to hold a license. Licensing is issued by Louisiana State Licensing Board for Contractors.
View full Louisianalicensing requirements →Reviews
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