Welder at Versatile Welding Group
at Versatile Welding Group in Scotch Plains, NJ
About This Program
Versatile Welding Group sponsors a registered welder apprenticeship in Scotch Plains, New Jersey. This non-union, employer-sponsored program provides a structured, paid training route for individuals looking to enter the welding trade and build a versatile skill set applicable across multiple industries.
The program lasts three years and consists of 6,000 hours of on-the-job training and 432 hours of related technical instruction. Apprentices receive training in core welding processes such as MIG, TIG, and shielded metal arc welding, as well as metal cutting, fitting, blueprint interpretation, and safety protocols. The program's emphasis on versatility prepares apprentices to work across a range of applications and environments, from fabrication shops to field-based construction projects.
Graduates earn journey-level welder credentials and are equipped to pursue skilled welding careers across New Jersey's diverse industrial and construction landscape. Scotch Plains is centrally located within the state, providing graduates with strong access to employers in the surrounding Union County area and broader New Jersey job market.
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
Reviews
No reviews yet. Be the first to share your experience!
See something wrong? Help us improve this page.