Welding & Pipefitting

School of Welding at MTI

Are you ready for a career that can offer flexibility, travel, excitement, and opportunity for growth? The School of Welding at Midwest Technical Institute (MTI) offers the hands-on welding and pipefitting training you need to start your career in the industry.

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Daytime and evening classes available

What Makes MTI’s Welding & Pipefitting School Different?

Gear

Hands-On Focused

Weld shops that simulate real work environments

Duration 10 months

Accelerated Training

Complete your welding and pipefitting training in just 10 months

Experienced Instructors

Experienced Instructors

All MTI welding instructors have real-world experience

Evening Classes

Evening Classes Available

Flexible class times that work for your busy schedule

Employment Preparation

Employment Preparation

No general education courses required, students will learn the skills required for entry-level employment

Career Placement

Career Placement

Career counseling & placement assistance is available to all qualified graduates

Welding & Pipefitting Program at MTI

A welder works alongside a pipefitter, and both professions require a unique set of skills. The School of Welding at MTI offers the Welding & Pipefitting Program to train you in both welding and pipefitting, so that you’re prepared to work in a more diverse range of job environments and roles. You will gain the basic skills that are essential to both welding and pipefitting work. The Welding & Pipefitting Program can be completed in less than a year, so that you can start a new career in less time than a traditional 2-year or 4-year college.

HANDS-ON WELDING & PIPEFITTER TRAINING

The Welding & Pipefitting Program prepares you to work both as a welder and a pipefitter through 40-weeks of hands-on training in a real weld shop environment. 

Basic Fitting Principles | Basic Pipe Fitting | Advanced Pipe Fitting

You will learn the following welding processes:

  • Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW)
  • Gas Tungsten Arc Gas Welding (GTAW/TIG)
  • Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW/MIG)
  • Flux Core Arc Welding (FCAW)

In addition to 30 weeks of hands-on welding training, you will receive 10 weeks of pipefitting-focused training to teach you both basic and advanced pipefitting processes. These modules are unique to MTI’s Welding & Pipefitting Program.

Basic Pipe Fitting

  • Learn proper rigging & pipe hanger install
  • Pull measurements for pipe runs
  • Read ISO drawings
  • Measure/fabricate 45-degree offsets
  • Introduction to T’s and takeoffs
  • Increase difficulty of pipe runs
  • Fabricate 30 & 60-degree offsets
  • Find unknown angles

Advanced Pipe Fitting

  • Fabricate/weld saddles
  • Run pipe A to B economically
  • Learn more difficult ISO’s
  • Explain rolling offsets
  • Fabricate odd-angled fittings
  • Execute multiple pipe runs/various angles
  • Review all pipe applications

In addition to learning and practicing various welding and pipefitting techniques, you will earn MTI welding certifications that help employers validate your welding and pipefitting skills and potentially increase your employability. 

MTI Welding & Pipefitting Certifications

  • Bevel Plate 6010-7018 (SMAW)
  • 6″ SCH. 40 pipe 6010-7018 (SMAW)
  • 6″ SCH. 40 pipe ER70s -7018 (GTAW) (SMAW)
  • 2″ SCH. 80 pipe ER70s -7018 (GTAW) (SMAW)
  • 2″ SCH. 80 pipe 6010-7018 (SMAW)
  • 1/2″ plate w/ backing strip (GMAW)
  • 1/2″ plate w/ backing strip (FCAW)
  • 3″ SCH. 10 stainless steel pipe 316 (GTAW) with purge

Ready to Learn More?

Ready to learn more about MTI’s hands-on training programs? Give us a call or fill out the form to get more information.

Financial Assistance

Financial Aid Team

MTI’s Financial Aid Team provides personalized support to students applying for federal financial aid and help with understanding all the funding options, including scholarship opportunities.


Scholarship Opportunities

MTI Graduates

MTI is here to help you attain the funding you need to take the next step in your education. MTI’s Financial Aid Team can help match you with scholarship opportunities you may qualify for.


Pipefitting & Welding Careers

MTI’s Welding & Pipefitting Program teaches you the necessary skills to pursue a professional career in the welding and pipefitting industry. Pipefitters often work in close coordination with welders to complete various projects in construction, manufacturing, infrastructure, commercial, and related industries. Both welders and pipefitters play an important role in the industry, and there are various career opportunities for each role, including but not limited to:

  • Structural steel welder
  • Sheet metal worker
  • Boilermaker
  • Industrial maintenance welder
  • Industrial shutdown welder
  • Rig welders
  • Pipefitters
  • Gasfitters
  • Sprinklerfitters
  • Steamfitters
  • Motorsports welders
  • Shipyard welders
  • Military welders
  • Underwater welders
welding school at MTI

Ready to Learn More?

Ready to learn more about MTI’s hands-on training programs? Give us a call or fill out the form to get more information.

Get Started

Welding & Pipefitting Program Overview

Pipefitting and welding training is an important step toward beginning a rewarding career in the manufacturing, construction, fabrication, and maintenance industries. Here’s what you can expect when you attend Midwest Technical Institute (MTI) for your welding & pipefitting training:

Length:
10 months (40 weeks)
When:
Daytime and evening classes available
Hours:
1,000 clock hours / 248 additional outside clock hours
Completion:
Diploma
Credits:
36 semester credits

Quick Facts: Welding & Pipefitting Program

Welding is the physical process of fusing together metal parts. There are several welding  processes and a variety of techniques, such as arc welding.

To learn more, check out: How Long Does it Take to Become a Welder?

Pipe fitters are responsible for managing the repair and installation of pipes, many of which transport sensitive materials such as chemicals, acids, and gasses. They typically work within manufacturing, commercial, and industrial settings. As a pipefitter, you may consider specializing in one area, such as gasfitting, sprinkler fitting, or steamfitting. An accomplished pipefitter often exhibits good organizational skills, is proficient in math, and enjoys working with their hands.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports the average annual wage for welders and related workers was $47,540 as of May 2022, with the highest 10 percent of earners taking in approximately $68,750 per annual basis. The BLS reports the average annual earnings for pipefitters was roughly $60,090, with the highest 10 percent of earners garnering in excess of $101,190 each year.

For more information on MTI program costs, please contact Financial Aid or visit Tuition & Cost.

Check out the Welding & Pipefitting FAQ for the answers to frequently asked questions about welders and pipefitters!

Enrollment & Outcomes

Enrollment and outcome information for all Illinois-based campuses and the ACCSC annual reports for each program can be found in Adobe PDF format. Please note, all programs are not offered at all campuses. For annual details, please visit our Welding & Pipefitting enrollment and outcomes page.

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Accreditations

ACCSC Logo

For more information about our accreditations and approvals, please visit: https://www.midwesttech.edu/about-us/accreditation/

Midwest Technical Institute is approved by the Division of Private Business and Vocational Schools of the Illinois Board of Higher Education: 1 N. Old State Capitol Plaza, Suite 333, Springfield, IL 62701. For more info:  www.ibhe.org

Midwest Technical Institute is approved to operate by the Missouri Department of Higher Education.