When you hear welding you may think of Flashdance or you may think of a growing industry that you easily can become a part of. What exactly is welding? Welding is the fusion of two metals using heat. Welding is instrumental in everything around you. Just look up. The beams holding up the building you’re in right now were welded together. Because of the extreme heat welders wear safety gear including safety goggles, protective shoes and perhaps even a face shield when working. Welders need good eyesight, and good use of their hands.

There are different types of welding depending on what is being joined together. This is highly specialized work and once you learn how to weld your skills will definitely be in demand. There are many places to receive training to be a welder including vocational/technical institutes, community college and private welding schools.

For some welding positions certification is necessary. The courses necessary for this certification are available at welding schools. Out of other manufacturing jobs, the job outlook for welders is very positive.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the U.S. Department of Labor the median wage-and-salary earnings of welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers were $15.10 an hour in May 2006. The middle 50 percent earned between $12.30 and $18.47. The lowest 10 percent had earnings of less than $10.08, and the top 10 percent earned over $22.50.