Georgia Northwestern Technical College says its Welding and Joining Technology program continues to be one of the school’s most in-demand programs, with graduates seeing strong job placement rates and high starting wages.

GNTC instructors say the program appeals to students who enjoy building and creating with their hands while preparing for careers in a field that remains in high demand across Northwest Georgia and beyond.

The college offers Welding courses at campuses in Rome, Cedartown, Rock Spring and Dalton. Students in the program learn several types of welding techniques, along with blueprint reading, fabrication, safety, pipe welding and structural welding.

Program Director Jeremiah Cooper said more than 300 students have been placed into industry jobs since 2015, with employers frequently contacting GNTC directly looking for graduates or students nearing completion of the program. Area companies hiring welders include Astec, Komatsu, Miller Industries, Scenic City Mechanical and Textron.

According to GNTC officials, most graduates last year earned starting salaries between $55,000 and $65,000 annually, while some graduates reported starting pay between $23 and $28 per hour with overtime opportunities available.

Instructors say the need for skilled welders continues to grow, and graduates have gone on to careers ranging from welding and fabrication to maintenance, plumbing, machining and welding inspection.

GNTC says welding remains one of the Technical College System of Georgia’s designated High Demand Career Initiative fields because of strong wages and workforce demand.