Welding Program

The Program

Local 265 offers welding classes to apprentices and journeyworkers. We cover Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW), commonly referred to as stick welding, Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW), commonly referred to as mig welding, and Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (GTAW), referred to as tig welding. Our facility has 20 welding booths, and is an American Welding Society (AWS) and Hartford Steam Boiler (HSB) Global Standard Accredited Test facility.

"Laser Welding"

Local 265 will be offering Laser Welding very soon. Pay attention to the night class schedule or sign-up for text messages with the union office.

Apprentice Training

Our apprentices begin welding classes in their first year of training. They receive 20 hours of classroom instruction and hands on welding, concentrating on stick welding. Second year apprentices receive 25 hours of training, they cover stick and mig welding. Third year apprentices also have 25 hours of training concentrating on mig welding. By the fourth year, apprentices receive 30 hours of training, using tig welding and must achieve an AWS welding certification in a welding process. As a graduate, the apprentice should with confidence setup and safely operate welding machines for GMAW, SMAW, and GTAW. The apprentice will also hold a certification in at least one process of welding.

The Apprentice Welding Instructors

Anthony Aarns CWI, Christopher James CWI, Joe Carone, and Kelly Marcellis are all skilled welding instructors.

Journeyworker Training

Local 265 offers many weld training opportunities to it’s members from the journeyworker who wants to improve his or her skills to the experienced welder looking for AWS Welding certification.

If you are interested please call the education department to have your questions answered and put your name on a roster waiting list.

The Night Welding Instructors

Headed by Christopher James and Anthony Aarns, our welding program night instructors are experienced Journeyperson who work at the trade during the day and come in to share their knowledge and expertise with their students at night.

SMAW Stick Welding: Mitch Geister

GTAW Tig Welding: Kelly Marcellis

GMAW Mig Welding: Jeff Bednarski