Underwater welding is a big part of the commercial diving industry. Having a marine welding certification will exponentially increase your earning power. The US Bureau of Labor and Statistics reveals that underwater welders earn an average of $54,000 yearly. Sounds amazing?
Here is the deal:
Underwater welding is a very competitive career. Also, getting a job as an underwater welder outside the gates of your training school is hard. Most companies employ graduates who have previous experiences.
You need to choose an underwater training school that will secure tender jobs and gain experience for the big gigs. This article will show you 20 top marine welding schools that will help you land a job upon graduation.
Don’t forget this:
Former US President Abraham Lincoln once said, “I will prepare, and someday my chance will come.” Pursue your underwater welding career dream. Every profitable venture demands an uncomfortable journey.
Factors to Consider When Choosing an Underwater Welding School
1. Cost
Underwater welding courses are expensive. Tuition may reach up to $10,000 in some schools. The significant factors that determine cost include the length of the training and the nature of the course.
Always go through many school websites and see their course offers before making your choice. Also, some schools provide many scholarships and financial aid. Maximize them!
2. Location
This article contains top-performing commercial diving colleges in about five different countries in the world. Moving to another country to study comes with an additional visa and traveling costs. Limit your search to schools that you can quickly attend.
3. Accreditation and Certification
Organizations and civil society that accredits a commercial diving college affect the worth of their certifications. Always find out if the school has relevant accreditation from both national and international bodies.
4. Instructors
Most underwater training schools list their instructors and faculties on their website. Check out their LinkedIn profile to see their level of expertise. You can also visit the school to speak with instructors.
5. Program Length
How long do you want to stay in a commercial diving school?
Different schools have different programs with different durations. Choose a school that fits your plans and calendar.
6. Job Prospects
The commercial diving industry is a competitive one.
Some schools have networks with leading companies that will help you secure internship positions and jobs that will help your career grow fast.
Review the job placement record of the school you intend to attend before you apply. This is very important.
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Best 20 Underwater Welding Schools
Underwater welding schools in the United States
Do you know?
There are nine underwater welding schools in the US. Three of these underwater schools are in Florida, and two are in California. Let’s get to see these schools.
1. The Ocean Corporation
The Ocean Corporation was established in 1969. It is the first commercial diving school to create an underwater training program. Ocean Corp has been training qualified sub-aquatic professionals for almost 50 years.
Ocean Corp has over 10000 alumni members, which makes it a popular name among top employers. Training takes place in her large and well-equipped campus in Houston.
Ocean Corp also offers financial aids to her students and job placement to her graduates.
Contact address
- Website: www.oceancorp.com
- Tel: 1-800-321-0298
- Address: 10840 Rockley Rd, Houston, TX 77099
- Google map
Certification
- Underwater Welding Certification
- Hazmat Certification
- Salvage Diving/ Lift Bags
- Mixed Gas/ Bell Diver
2. South Central Louisiana Technical College
South Central Louisiana Technical College is a young memorial campus in Morgan City. It offers a 22 months program that covers underwater welding and safety.
Students learn in well-equipped classrooms and facilities. Some of the best commercial diving tutors work in this technical college.
It also offers some financial aids and scholarship opportunities to her students.
Alumni members of this college work in reputable companies around the world.
3. Santa Barbara City College
Santa Barbara City College is a commercial driving school in California. It has three well-equipped campuses and offers extensive associate-degree and certificate programs. Santa Barbara City College enjoys accreditation from reputable industrial diving associations.
Many companies and HR Managers send their job listings to this college and ask for graduates. The college also conducts campus career training, advisory, and recruitment assessments.
Santa Barbara City College, an underwater welding program, lasts for about 32 weeks.
Certifications
- Associate in Arts (AA) Degree
- Associate in Arts for Transfer (AA-T) Degree
- Associate in Science (AS) Degree
- Associate in Science for Transfer (AS-T)
- Certificate of Achievement (C)
- Skills Competency Award (SCA)
- Department Award (D)
Contact address
- Website: www.sbcc.edu
- Tel: (805) 965-0581
- Address: 721 Cliff Drive, Santa Barbara, CA 93109
4. National University Polytechnic Institute
National University Polytechnic Institute is another reputable school for training commercial divers.
It offers two underwater diving programs and emphasizes safety. Each program runs for eight weeks.
Students learn in ultra-modern facilities across three different campuses.
National University Polytechnic Institute programs meet the US AWS 3.6 coding specifications. Some of the best welding institutions in the world recognize their certifications.
Alumni members of the school are well-paid employees in some of the best companies in San Diego.
Contact address
- Address: www.nupolytech.org
- Tel: 8004323483
- Address: 3570 Aero Court, San Diego, CA 92123
5. International Diving Institute
North Charleston International Diving Institute deals with every aspect of commercial diving. The school takes students from training tanks to real water learning scenarios.
It offers about six commercial diving programs. Underwater welding is an 80-hour extra course at the end of each training.
It has the US Lloyd Register listing and meets the AWS 3.6 coding specifications.
This driving institute also lists much financial aid and scholarship opportunities every year.
Contact address
- Website: www.idicharleston.edu
- Tel: (843) 740-1124
- Address: 2340 Avenue F, North Charleston, SC 29405
Programs
- Air/mixed gas surface supplied diving
- Dcbc unrestricted diving
- Underwater welding
- Rov pilot & Technician
- Underwater burning training & certification
6. Hydroweld USA
Hydroweld USA is a large underwater welding corporation that manufactures welding equipment. Yet, they have an Underwater Technology and Training Institute in Miami, Florida.
Hydroweld offers outstanding welding courses, including hydroarc-gouging, cutting, and welding. Students also get trained to make some welding materials themselves.
Their program is affordable, and tuition includes fees for coffee, tea, and lunch. Hydroweld helps its students to get job placements in different parts of the world.
Contact address
- Website: www.hydroweld.com
- Email: info@hydroweld.com
- Tel: + 1 305 573 8222
- 12062 NW 27 Avenue, Miami, Florida 33167, United States of America
7. Divers Institute of Technology
Divers Institute of Technology is a veteran operated school in Seattle since 1968. It is the first US dive school to offer an international certification.
Here, training focuses on preparing students for the commercial diving industry.
Students are also exposed to professional development pieces of training in leadership and performance management.
DIT has a reputation for training quality divers. This reputation helps its graduates to secure jobs in any part of the world.
Certifications
- Cylinder Services Fill Station Technician
- Cylinder Services Fill Station Technician
- Unrestricted Surface Supplied Air Diver Certification
- Job Safety Analysis (JSA) Certificate
- Qualified Rigger API
Contact address
- Website: www.diversinstitute.edu
- Tel: 206-312-2981
- Address: 1341 N. Northlake Way, Suite 150 Seattle, WA 98103
8. Divers Academy International
Welcome to New Jersey!
Divers Academy International is a trade school that will give you every advantage. It runs a six-months training that prepares students to begin an exciting new career.
This international academy offers trade industry-recognized certifications. It also partners with over 100 companies to provide job placement to their students.
It also has a student housing package to keep students close to the campus. Here, every learning session begins with a safety briefing.
Contact address
- www.diversacademy.edu
- Tel: 8002383483
- Address: Lakeside Business Park, 1500 Liberty Place, Erial, NJ 08081
9. Commercial Divers International
Commercial Divers International has unmatched facilities for learning and training commercial divers.
Your potential is earning an increase with every certification you make form this school.
The training goal of this college is to produce divers that will enjoy a safe and successful career.
The school also boasts of experienced and knowledgeable tutors and faculties. It owns a 37-acre off-campus lake for real-time training sessions.
Students also enjoy limited accommodation and many financial aids.
Contact address
- Website: www.commercialdiversinternational.edu
- Tel: 623-882-3483
- Address: CH5R+RH Goodyear, Arizona, United States
Commercial Driving School in Canada
1. Holland College
Holland College is a multi-disciplinary college that offers two marine technology courses. The college has many campuses in Prince Edward Island, Canada. The aquatic training center has located the facility in the Georgetown campus.
Holland College trains students with practical experiences in the North Atlantic. Students receive an Unrestricted Surface Supplied Diver Certificate on completion of the program.
There are elective courses in helmet maintenance technician and occupational SCUBA and CWB.
Contact address
- Website: www.hollandcollege.com
- Tel: 902-629-4217
- Location: Montgomery Hall, 305 Kent Street, Charlottetown, PE
2. Canadian Working Divers Institute
The Canadian Working Divers Institute has trained over 500 commercial divers since 1993. These divers have come from about 25 countries, and you can be the next. CDWI is a private corporation in Ontario, Canada.
CDWI offers accommodation to its students as well as breakfast and lunch. It also provides travel discounts for students outside Ontario.
There are only 21 admission slots available, and every course runs for 12 weeks. CDWI maintains a 5:1 student ratio. There’s a lot of fun in their curricula like fishing and hiking.
Certifications
- WHIMS certification
- Oxygen administrator
- Occupational Riggers
- Chamber Operator
Contact address
- Website: www.canadianworkingdivers.com
- Email: info@canadianworkingdivers.com
- Office Address: 18529 Kent Bridge Road, Morpeth, ON, N0P 1X0, Canada
- Phone: (519) 358-2170
3. DIVESAFE International
DIVESAFE International is the most prominent commercial driving school in Canada. It is an excellent choice for anyone who wants to pursue a career inland and offshore diving.
DIVESAFE International doesn’t use tanks to train like most commercial diving schools. You begin your adventure at the ocean at once. DIVESAFE also offers many financial aids and scholarships to students. Also, many Dive companies usually call DIVE SAFE for graduates.
The Canadian divers training regulators, DCBC, endorse certificates from this college.
Courses
- Commercial Dive Supervisor
- Commercial NITROX Diver
- Commercial Scuba Diver
- Dive Accident Management
- Professional SCUBA Diver
- Restricted Surface Supply Diver
- Unrestricted Surface Supply Diver
Contact address
- Website: www.divesafe.com
- Email: info@divesafe.com
- Telephone: 250-287-3837
- Address of Dive Center: 170 Dogwood St, Campbell River, BC V9W 2X8
4. Seneca College
Seneca College offers a fast-paced Underwater Skills training program for commercial divers. The course includes both online and on-campus schedules and lasts for about 34 weeks. Students are trained to have successful and safe careers.
Seneca College Underwater Skills program covers commercial diving techniques and works safety. Students will also learn repair, installation, and maintenance skills.
You will also earn a globally recognized DCBC certificate as an Unrestricted Surface Supplier Diver after the program.
Contact address
- Website: www.senecacollege.ca
- Phone: +1 416 491 5050
- Address: 1750 Finch Avenue East, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, M2J 2X5
Commercial Driving School in UK
Do you know?
Hydroweld is a commercial diving manufacturing corporation. Yet, it has two underwater training schools in the US and UK.
1. Professional Driving Academy
Professional Diving Academy is a UK-based underwater training school in Sandbank. It offers courses like marine tools use, rigging, and cutting, welding, and burning.
Students are also taught many skilled courses to increase their employability. PDA students have a solid foundation that makes them ace their peers to secure top jobs.
PDE owns the UK HSE accreditation and offers internationally recognized certifications to her graduates. The college operates in a modern facility and hosts experienced tutors from many fields.
Contact address
- www.professionaldivingacademy.com
- Email: info@professionaldivingacademy.com
- Tel: +44 (0)1369 701 701
- Address: Unit 19, SandBank Business Park, Sandbank, Dunoon PA23 8PB, United Kingdom
2. The Underwater Center
The Underwater Center is a Scottish school that offers air and diving training. But it has another campus in Tasmania, Australia. One unique thing about this school is that about 85% of her graduates are employees.
Here, instructors train students in stimulated facilities that mimic the real-time sub-sea environment.
There are about five different programs to choose from, including the Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROV) program. They also provide different categories of student’s financial aids and loans.
Contact address
- Address: Marine Walk, Carmichael Way, Fort William PH33 6FF, United Kingdom
3. Hydroweld UK
Hydroweld UK is located in the West Midlands, England. A big manufacturing corporation owns this training college. It has another campus in Florida, US. Hydroweld UK offers admission to only students who already have some diving certification.
Hydroweld UK training is like attending a post-graduate school. But the tuition is affordable (about $4500). Students are exposed to real-time underwater welding operations. There are no financial aids or scholarships in this college.
Contact address
- Address: www.hydroweld.com
- Email: info@hydroweld.com
- Tel: + 44 (0)121 378 1230
- Address: 46 Bedford Drive, Sutton Coldfield, West Midlands, B75 6AX, United Kingdom
Commercial Driving School in Australia
Here is a kicker:
You will find one underwater diving in New Zealand in this section.
1. Professional Divers Training Academy
Professional Divers Training is part of an industry-leading Divers Group in Australia. PDTA focuses on forging diving professionals that will thrive anywhere in the world.
PDTA offers about six different courses and certifications. Students attend classes and practical sessions in purpose-built facilities in Melbourne and Sydney. PDTA trainers are industry inexpert with over 20 years of industry experience.
They also provide job placements opportunities for their graduates.
Courses
- ADAS Restricted Occupational SCUBA to 20m (Aquarium Diver)
- ADAS Restricted Occupational SCUBA to 30m (Part 1R Scientific)
- ADAS Occupational SCUBA to 30m
- ADAS Onshore Diving Supervisor
- ADAS Chamber Operator and Advanced Chamber Operator
- Equipment Technician
- ADAS Dive Project Management
Contact address
- Website: www.pdta.com.au
- Email: pdta@profdivers.com
- Tel: 61 (03) 9775 0998
- Address: 2 Sonia Street, Carrum Downs, 3201
2. XLT Institute of Welding
XLT Institute of Welding is a research-focused training school for prospective commercial divers. It has two campuses in the eastern and western parts of Australia. XLT underwater training lasts for about three weeks.
Admission is only open to students who hold a level-2 commercial diving status. You can only apply if you have worked for at least two months as a commercial diver. XLT also offer case-by-case financial aids to students and help those secure jobs within their industry network.
3. Subsea Training Centre
Subsea Training Centre is the only commercial diving school in New Zealand. It offers about 15 different ADAS (Australian Diver Accreditation Scheme) courses.
Subsea focuses on practical and real-world industry-related training. IMCA (International Maritime Construction Association) also recognizes some of these courses.
Students are also trained in professional skills that help them to land good jobs. Subsea also receives and lists many job opportunities on their websites.
Contact address
- Website: www.subsea.nz
- Tel: +64 7 828 0256
- Email: info@subsea.nz
- Website: 63 Rotowaro Road, Huntly 3700, New Zealand
4. Underwater Training Center – South Australia (UTCSA)
UTCSA (Underwater Training Center – South Australia) is the only ADAS accredited diver training school in South Australia. UTCSA features a curriculum that helps students build core commercial diving skills.
UTCA offers tuition discounts and other financial aids to students in need. Your safety and employability are guaranteed in UTCSA. They have a high graduate employment record.
About 95% of UTSCA graduates start their careers in the Aquaculture industry.
Contact address
- Website: www.utcsa.com.au
- Phone: 0474 125 768
- Email: info@utcsa.com.au
- Address: Bests Place, Burra SA 5417
5. Commercial Diving Academy
Commercial Diving Academy is the best commercial diving school in Australia. No school around the world could beat their 100% record in graduate job placement. Also, many Australian companies sent about 100 students to CDA for training in 2019.
CDA holds accreditation from the Australian Divers Association (ADSA) Scheme and the International Maritime Construction Association (IMCA). Students are trained according to the industry-endorsed curriculum in world-class facilities.
If you want to turn your diving dreams into a reality, turn to CDA, Australia.
Contact address
- Website: www.commercialdiveacademy.com
- Phone: +61 3 6383 4844
- Email: info@commercialdiveacademy.com
- Address: 2c/200 Flinders St, Beauty Point TAS 7270, Australia
Conclusion
Underwater welding is a growing specialization in the commercial diving industry. There are many prospects out there as the world continues to explore the possibilities of the sub-aquatic environment.
Choosing the best underwater welding school can be difficult. However, many successful underwater welders can give you expert advice too.
It Could Get Worse:
Despite the many benefits of choosing an underwater welding career, there are many dangers associated with underwater welding jobs. Industry investigations show that about 15% of practicing underwater welders die in practice. A lot of many others suffer life-threatening injuries.
Some reports also show that the average lifespan of an underwater welder is 35 to 40 years.
Marine welding career is exciting, adventurous, and rewarding if you survive.”
What is the bottom line?
Pursue your dreams and tell the story later on! Becoming an underwater begins with sending that application.
Now: Which of these top 20 schools are you sending your application to? Leave a comment in our review box below.
