Fabrication schools

Msperlazza

Active Member
Joined
Jun 17, 2010
Location
Clemmons
Any suggestions on some fabrication schools? Location doesn't matter to me im just looking for a good program or programs that will give me good job opportunities. Any first hand experience with schools?
 
your local community college might offer some welding and fab classes. i took a few at CPCC. they weren't very good (I did not learn as much as i was hoping), but still did a lot of welding. if you are really serious, find someone up your way who knows what they are doing and help them. you'll learn a lot. it won't cost you anything, but you probably wouldn't be paid either. jobs are scarce, even for those who have skills.
 
Best thing nearby is Forsyth Tech. They have a VERY good program based on race cars. It is a year of basic automotive, and a year of working on race cars/engines. There are a couple welding classes as well in the program. I went through it the 1st or 2nd year it was offered and thought it was very good, I'd suggest learning to weld/fabricate before starting if you can though. I was VERY far ahead of most of the other guys in aspect to welding/fabrication when we got to that stage of the program. Gave me the opportunity to work on cooler stuff or my own stuff.
 
I would eventually like to do 4Wheel drive fabrication building buggies and stuff. But I know the field is hard to get into to make a living. I am looking for a program to get me started with welding and metal fabrication to improve my backyard experience that I have now.
 
STAY AWAY from the big time schools. They are very expensive. If you want a huge college debt or are insanely rich, go for it. Otherwise, go to a community college. Anyone hiring could care less about how much you spent on an education. I have heard a lot of stories about people returning to their old jobs at Lowe's or Food Lion... Ask around up there. Perhaps you could help someone out on the side and learn from them. Spend your money on tools and learning how to use them, not overpriced education.
 
Have you considered simply applying to work at a fabrication shop? And learning the basics that way.

Everyone seems to say how they can't find good help. Possibly being that 'good help' will open some doors for you and allow you to learn hands on. No matter where you go to school your still going to have to put some time in doing BS work.

If you go that route have a discussion with the boss about starting pay vs pay when you've learned/mastered specific skills and can be productive (on your own).

Good luck
 
x's2, plus you'll get a real feel for what the work is really about before going full bore into something that maybe will turn out to be a really good hobby. I started part time at a shop that was local while going to community college. I got offered a full time position with the promise to be in management. After that I decided my career path and got very focused on the education part. I'm no longer with that company but the education was priceless, I got to work side by side with an "old head" with 40 yrs or so experience who taught me all sorts of hands on skills.
 
Check out GTCC and its welding class's ...Randy ownes runs it. Great teacher...tons info...Very good job opertunites through him if you can make it.
 
Another thing, I stopped by Forsyth Tech today to check something out for work, while I was there I went in and talked to the teacher of the Race Car program. They have REALLY stepped up the game since I was there a few years ago. They are now 'sponsored' by Richard Childress, they have a car there they are working on that had been raced by Jeff Burton a time or two (as in, it's about brand new). Quite a few engines they were working on, including a 502 Ford with a HUGE blower on it. He was telling me that is ALL they build now is race engines (or highly modified street engines, no stock engines). They also have gotten a $125K engine dyno they run all the engines on, was VERY nice.

I still recommend Forsyth Tech, I can guarantee you won't get a better education anywhere else as far as building custom vehicles goes, and the cost is WAY cheaper than any other option.

If you ALL you want to do is weld, take a welding class, if you want to learn to weld/fabricate, get a job at a fab shop and do it, if you want to learn to learn to build a car and (better yet) have access to tons of cool stuff, go to FoTech. I wish I could go take the 2nd year of the program again just to have access to all the equipment.
 
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