Tulsa OK Welding School

[mtwildflower]

Anyone know of this school and if so, what is your opinion?

My son is seriously looking at attending the 7 month course which will yield a Master's Welding certificate. The course is about 15K. They claim a high job placement rate, but don't say what the wages average for someone fresh from the training.

And now I have read this article about schools that charge a lot for what turns out to be basic skills and where the students are no more hireable than if they had just taken an entry level job somewhere and been trained there. And, there is still a question of how he will afford his room and board as they don't have student housing on campus.

I wanted to post this question here and on the State Talk thread.

http://finance.yahoo.com/college-education/article/109081/in-hard-times-lured-into-trade-school-and-debt

In Hard Times, Lured Into Trade Schools and Debt
By Peter S Goodman, New York Times

One fast–growing American industry has become a conspicuous beneficiary of the recession: for–profit colleges and trade schools.

At institutions that train students for careers in areas like health care, computers and food service, enrollments are soaring as people anxious about weak job prospects borrow aggressively to pay tuition that can exceed $30,000 a year.

[cinok]

I dont know what school you are asking about. I live in OK and there are a bunch of trade schools. Trade schools are nod different then a college degree an education will not get you a job. Some of the things to look at is does your son want to stay local or relocate after his education. You could look at Dept of labor stats. Many of these trade schools are traps and give the good one a bad name. Also some of the negative press comes from those who think they deserve top dollar with no experience. Welding was a strong industry in OK with the gas wells and lines going in. One thing is about a trade you have a skill that you can expand on.

[johnny]

From folks that I have known that have went to ITT and ATI and one other business school. he will be farther ahead if he goes to work for someone like WalMart and works his way up and within 3-5 years he can be a manager and have no debt.

Many many of these schools are nothing more than mills and money making machines for their owners. Couple folks I knew went thru courses and graduated but there were no jobs for them and were even told they lacked both experience and usable knowledge to fit into most jobs they applied for.

The primary thing he needs to look at--what will the final cost be and what do others that graduated their courses have to say. Sometimes the BBB can give an answer worth relying on--not always but sometimes.

One week in an 'on the job' training is probably worth more than a months school in most of these mills. Dont think he will 'profit' from going to a school in Tulsa if he is returning to Mt to live afterwards. One other check he or you can do is talk to a counselor at the local employment office and get their take on the aspects of a 'trade school'. Good luck!

[Mom5farmboys]

My husband welds, although he is not certified. He taught himself, and also taught our oldest boy to weld. Welding is offered as tech class in our local high school, my son is going to take the class just to get the certificate.

I would suggest looking up someplace that does welding in your area, or store that sells welding supplies, call them up and let them know you are interested in becoming a welder. Most folks are pretty helpful if you ask them about what they know. I bet they will tell you the best way to go about it. They may even warn you about what to stay away from.

If you ask around to enough different people in that field and you should get some good information.

[Jawbone]

In my area, production welding jobs are 8-11 per hour. In the unions it is 20-25 for construction trades. It's good advice to check with the state.

[jebrown]

I also live in Ok. There are several career techs (used to be called V0-Techs) that teach welding but with a cheaper tuition level.
You might consider them.
To me any school that doesn't provide all the information about graduates getting jobs and only talks about the top end people are hiding something.

Jerry

[Jared]

PM me. I'm a Tulsa Welding School graduate. I completed the 6 month course in 1994, early in the year. I think it was around March, not that it matters much. Anyway, you can either PM me or ask me questions here in the forum in case other people are wanting to ask questions.
Jared

[cmdan]

Something he could look at is the apprenticeships with one of the power companies. The pay is good and most have a lot of overtime. Many of the ones (linemen) I work with make well over 100K year (journeyman) and some of the Service men brake the 200K mark. Then there are equipment operator and other positions too. I myself went though the Army's (National Guard) metal worker/welder course. The short hands on courses are good for some, but not for others, but like most careers, you really start learning once you start working with those who have been doing it for awhile. I wish someone would have told me about the apprenticeships when I was a kid.

Back to topic. I did a quick search for reviews, didn't find a lot, most were positive.

http://www.studentsreview.com/OK/TWS_g.html

Good luck.

[raytwnmt]

I can appreciate the desire to go to TWS. This day is much different than when I was young. I started in 1965(before I went in the Army)at a small welding shop. I was able to learn on the job which isn't possible now.It opened a lot of doors. I soon decided I didn't want to look at an arc all my life. I hope he has his mind made up for sure. If so...Go for it.The TWS is a good school that gives you a certification (it takes skill)and good job placement.Get ready to move!!!