Welder at Specialized Welding Inc.
at Specialized Welding Inc. in Export, PA
About This Program
Specialized Welding Inc. sponsors a registered welder apprenticeship in Export, Pennsylvania. This non-union, employer-sponsored program offers a paid training path into the welding trade, with a focus on specialized applications that go beyond general welding to meet the demands of targeted industrial and manufacturing environments.
The program runs for three years and includes 6,000 hours of on-the-job training alongside 432 hours of related technical instruction. Apprentices learn MIG, TIG, and shielded metal arc welding processes, metal preparation and fitting, precision measurement, blueprint reading, and quality inspection procedures. The program's specialized focus means apprentices are exposed to higher-tolerance welding work, preparing them for industries where precision and consistency are critical.
Graduates earn journey-level welder credentials and are well-prepared for careers in specialized manufacturing, fabrication, and industrial sectors. Export is located in the Pittsburgh metro area, home to a strong manufacturing and metals industry presence in western Pennsylvania, giving graduates access to a robust regional job market for skilled welders.
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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