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Upper Peninsula Career Pathways – Welding

Welding Career Pathways

A person in welding gear uses a welding machine to weld metal.

Welders use heat and precision to join metal parts and they build everything from cars to bridges.

Most roles require a high school diploma, hands-on training through a welding certificate or trade program, and strong safety skills. Earning certifications from local organizations, or national providers like the American Welding Society (AWS), can open doors to higher-paying opportunities. 

Welding offers a clear career path for entry-level positions all the way up to specialized roles such as pipe or TIG welding, and even advancement into inspection, engineering, or leadership.

Welding is a rewarding career for those who enjoy working with their hands and creating structures that last.

High School

Learn about courses to take!

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Post High School

Where to find training or internship opportunities.

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Local Employers in Delta County
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Expected Wages and Benefits
Career Advancement

School Prep

What classes do you need to take to get started? 

School Prep

Local Welding School

What options exist in your local area? 

School Options

Local Employers

It’s time to get to work! Where can you get started?

Local Employers

Wage and Benefits

How much will you earn? What does your future look like?

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Internship Opportunities

What options exist in your area?

Internship Options

#1 High School Prep

Courses to Take:
Enroll in Career and Technical Education (CTE) courses relating to welding, fabrication and manufacturing.  Math and physics will also be helpful.

Extracurricular Activities:
Participate in Career and Technical Student Organizations, School and regional competitions, Explore summer programs that cover related skills, etc. 

Certifications:
Obtain entry-level welding certifications such as American Welding Society Certifications, OSHA 10 hour certifications,  and local ForkLift Certifications, and rigging and lifting certifications to get a head start.

Local Welding Program:
Delta Schoolcraft Intermediate School District offers a CTE Welding Technology program, providing hands-on training and industry-relevant skills.  The CTE Welding Technology program also offers college credits through both Bay College and Northern Michigan University. 

Dual Enrollment Opportunities:
Bay College offers dual enrollment programs, allowing high school students to take welding courses for college credit through CTE programming. 

Michigan Department of Education provides information on statewide post secondary credit alignment for CTE programming. 

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#2 Post-High School Education, Apprenticeships & Internships

Local Welding School:
Bay College (Escanaba, MI) offers welding certificate programs.

Welding programs range from $5,000 to $20,000, depending on the length and Institution. Bay College offers financial aid and scholarships to eligible students.

Internship Opportunities:
Able Medical Devices (Gwinn, MI) offers welding internships focused on medical device manufacturing.

U.P. Michigan Works lists welding internship opportunities in the region.

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#3 Local Employers

CompanyCountyWebsite
Upper Peninsula Michigan Works!Allupmichiganworks.org
Weld AllDeltahttps://www.facebook.com/people/WeldAll-Industrial-Co/100083295065060/?_rdr
Race RampsDeltahttp://www.raceramps.com
ProArcDeltahttp://www.proarcweldingandfabricating.com/
Nor-Fab MachineryDeltahttps://norfabmfg.com/
Pisces Fish MachineryDeltahttps://pisces-ind.com/
RT ManufacturingDeltahttps://rtmanufacturing.net/
Independent MachineDeltahttps://imc-info.com/
A&L Iron and MetalDeltahttps://www.alironandmetal.com/
BillerudDeltahttps://www.billerud.com/about-us/regions/region-north-america
K&M IndustrialDelta
Northern Machine and RepairDeltahttps://www.northernmachining.com/
Creative CompositesDeltahttps://creativecompositesinc.com/
DelfabDelta
Escanaba Lake Superior RailroadDeltahttps://elsrr.com/
U.P. Plumbers and PipefittersDeltahttps://lu111.com/
North Shore MarineDeltahttps://www.northshoremarineterminal.com/
Bay CollegeDelta/Dickinsonhttp://www.baycollege.edu
Boss SnowplowDickinsonhttps://www.bossplow.com/
FMRDickinsonhttps://www.facebook.com/p/Fabricating-Machining-Repair-LLC-100039128452009/
Fleming FabDickinsonhttps://www.flemingfab.com/
LoadmasterDickinsonhttps://loadmaster.org/
Northwoods ManufacturingDickinsonhttps://nwmfginc.com/
Sagola HardwoodsDickinsonhttps://www.facebook.com/sagolahardwoods/
Sikora Sheet MetalIronhttps://www.facebook.com/sagolahardwoods/
Fincantieri MarineMarinette (Wisconsin)https://fincantierimarinegroup.com/about-us/us-shipyards/marinette-marine/
Bahrman TruckingMarquettehttps://www.facebook.com/bahrmantrucking/
Cliffs Natural ResourcesMarquettehttps://www.clevelandcliffs.com/
Eagle MineMarquettehttps://www.eaglemine.com/
Holli Forest ProductsMarquette
JM LongyearMarquettehttps://www.jmlongyear.com/
MJ VanDamme TruckingMarquettehttps://mjvandammeinc.com/
Potlach DelticMarquettehttps://www.potlatchdeltic.com/
Skandia TrussMarquettehttps://www.skandiatruss.com/
U.P. FabricationMarquettehttps://upfab.com/
Superior WeldingMarquettehttps://www.upwelding.com/
Enstrom HelicopterMenomineehttps://enstromhelicopter.com/
Northern FabMenomineehttp://www.northernfab.net/
LE JonesMenomineehttps://lejones.com/
Messersmith Manufacturing IncMenomineehttps://burnchips.com/
CarmeuseSchoolcrafthttps://www.carmeuse.com/na-en
GraymontSchoolcrafthttps://www.graymont.com/
Manistique MachineSchoolcrafthttps://upfab.com/contact/manistique-machine/
CompanyCountyWebsite
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