Fortis Welding Programs: Training Options for Future Welders

Choosing a 48-week Welding Technician diploma often comes down to how fast you need to start earning in the welding jobs market. Fortis lists welding training across five campuses in Alabama, Georgia, Ohio, and Texas, with diploma programs built around arc-welding processes.

The published total cost runs about $24,401 at three of those locations, which makes the credential decision as much a financial calculation as a skills decision. Employers in structural and pipe welding tend to value certification and hands-on booth time more than the credential title, so the program you pick has to line up with the exams you plan to sit for.

Fortis Welding Programs at a Glance

Fortis lists the welding program as a Welding Technician diploma at five campuses. The published length is 48 weeks, though total clock hours vary by location. Schedule details are published for Cincinnati, Houston South, and Smyrna, but Cuyahoga Falls and Birmingham do not list a schedule in available materials.

Welding Curriculum and Specializations

Fortis builds its Welding Technician curriculum around arc-welding processes and joint positions that prepare students for entry-level structural and pipe welding work.

Available campus catalogs show a consistent course structure: major process classes are 4.0 credit hours and 60 clock hours, split into 20 hours of lecture and 40 hours of hands-on lab. Specific offerings vary by location, so students should confirm exact course lists before applying.

Core Processes in the Curriculum

• Flux-cored arc welding (FCAW): WLD135 at Fortis Smyrna covers fundamentals, safety, equipment assembly, electrical theory, machine selection, maintenance and repair, safety testing, and groove and fillet welds in the 1G, 2G, 3G, 1F, 2F, and 3F positions.
• Pipe welding with stick/SMAW: WLD155 at Fortis Cincinnati introduces SMAW electrode selection, equipment setup, and safety, with pipe welding techniques.
• Gas tungsten arc welding (GTAW/TIG): Fortis materials reference GTAW among the welding processes, though available sources do not publish a separate quantified course at every campus.

MIG/GMAW and structural welding are commonly associated with welder training, but available Fortis course listings do not establish separate MIG or structural-welding courses at every campus. Students who want a specific process should confirm it with the campus catalog.

Lab Time and Booth Experience

Laboratory time is built into each major process course. For example, the 60-clock-hour flux-cored and pipe courses each include 40 lab hours, giving students repeated opportunity to strike arcs, set up machines, and weld in the positions employers test for. Documented equipment includes SMAW electrodes and machines for pipe welding, plus the assembly, selection, and maintenance tasks associated with flux-cored arc welding. Fortis has not published total program-wide booth hours or campus-wide booth counts in the materials reviewed, so students should ask the campus for the current shop schedule and student-to-booth ratio before enrolling.

Certification Alignment

Fortis states that the Welding Technician program is designed to prepare students for AWS D1.1 structural-steel certification exams. That alignment points toward structural welding, but completing the program does not automatically award an AWS certification; the external exam remains the student's responsibility. The 48-week diploma format is an accelerated welding school duration, but certification readiness depends on individual practice time and instructor sign-off.

Campus Locations and Program Availability

Construction and manufacturing employers are increasingly seeking welders with short-term, skills-based credentials as infrastructure and energy work stays steady across the South and Midwest. Fortis College offers welding instruction at five campuses that match those regional labor markets.

Campuses with Welding Programs

• Birmingham, AL: This campus trains students for entry-level structural and manufacturing welding roles. Birmingham's long history in steel, automotive, and metal fabrication creates steady local demand for skilled welders.
• Smyrna, GA: Serving the northwest Atlanta corridor, this location connects students to logistics, fabrication, and light manufacturing employers that need welders for repair, maintenance, and production work.
• Cuyahoga Falls, OH: Near Akron, this campus draws on Northeast Ohio's metal fabrication and heavy equipment heritage. Students get hands-on practice for plant maintenance, structural work, and production welding.
• Houston South, TX: The Houston South campus sits in a region with heavy demand from energy, petrochemical, and construction contractors. Pipe and structural welding skills are especially relevant for local employers.
• Cincinnati, OH: This campus reflects the metro's mix of aerospace, automotive, and general manufacturing. Instruction emphasizes production and maintenance welding for plants across southwest Ohio and northern Kentucky.

Program Availability and Local Fit

Welding schedules and formats vary by campus. Some Fortis locations focus on certificate or diploma tracks, while others may include associate degree options. Schedules and formats can change, so prospective students should confirm current program availability directly with the campus before applying.

Prospective students should treat campus location as part of the decision. A student aiming for pipe welding in the Gulf Coast may prioritize Houston South, while someone interested in plant maintenance might look first at Cuyahoga Falls or Cincinnati. Fortis does not maintain a uniform schedule across its five campuses, so each location sets its own class times and start dates.

Admissions Requirements and How to Apply

Fortis welding programs admit students who meet basic education, age, and readiness requirements. Most campuses use a rolling start rather than a fixed deadline, so you can often begin with the next available class.

• High school diploma or GED

  Applicants must be high school graduates or hold a GED equivalent. Proof of completion is required during the application process.
• Age requirement

  You must be at least 17 years old by the time your program starts.
• Application form and interview

  Submit the applicant information form, then complete an admissions interview. Some campuses also offer facility tours and meetings with financial aid staff before enrollment.
• Placement testing

  The main welding program page lists the Wonderlic Scholastic Level Exam (SLE) as a qualifying readiness test. Campus-specific FAQ pages do not mention additional placement tests.
• Financial aid application

  Complete the FAFSA and meet with financial aid to satisfy tuition and financial obligations before enrolling.
• Enrollment timing

  Fortis does not publish a fixed application deadline for welding campuses. Houston South and Cuyahoga Falls describe enrolling in the next available classes, suggesting rolling admission.

Tuition, Financial Aid, and Scholarships

As of September 2026, Fortis has published the same welding program cost structure at its Birmingham, Cuyahoga Falls, and Cincinnati campuses. The total estimated cost is $24,401 for the Welding Technician program at each of those locations. Fortis also states that financial aid offices are available on every campus and that qualifying students may use government loans, private loans, and other financial aid options. The Smyrna and Houston South campus pages do not currently publish welding program tuition figures, and Fortis notes that tuition varies by program and campus.

Accreditation and Certification Pathways

Welding credentials now carry more weight than a single campus brand, so confirming both institutional accreditation and the exam route is a standard step in how to become a welder. Fortis currently lists five Welding Technician campuses: Cuyahoga Falls, OH; Birmingham, AL; Cincinnati, OH; Houston South, TX; and Smyrna, GA.

Institutional Accreditation and State Approval

Fortis states that its colleges and institutes are institutionally accredited by ABHES, ACCSC, or ACICS, but the welding campus pages do not consistently identify which agency applies to each location. ACCSC directory materials name Fortis Institute in Scranton, PA, not one of the five welding campuses, so current ACCSC accreditation for these five locations is not confirmed from the available sources. State licensing or approval status is also not published on the welding program pages reviewed. For a specific campus, ask admissions for the current accrediting agency and state approval document.

Industry Certifications and Exam Preparation

The welding program states it prepares students for welder certifications required by D1.1 structural steel standards. The wording does not expressly promise a named AWS credential such as AWS Certified Welder, CRWT, CRAW, or CWI. Fortis's Texas article notes that Texas welders can pursue AWS credentials including CRWT, CRAW, and CWI, and that TxDOT administers welding qualification tests for steel-structures certifications. That guidance speaks to Texas welders generally and does not establish that Houston South prepares for or administers each exam. NCCER credentials, curriculum, or assessment sites are not identified in the reviewed materials for any of the five campuses.

On-Site Certification Testing

Fortis says students are prepared to sit for certification exams after completion, and exams generally relate to D1.1. Fortis has not published the testing location, administrator, fees, or dates, and the campus pages do not state that testing occurs on-site. Treat certification testing as an external step unless a campus representative confirms otherwise.

Certification Testing and Employer Partnerships

Fortis combines certification preparation with local employer connections in its Welding Technician program, but on-site certification testing is not a published campus service. Program materials prepare students for exams such as AWS D1.1 structural steel certification, and optional practical exams can be scheduled at an AWS Accredited Test Facility, not necessarily at a Fortis location. Houston South and Birmingham catalogs describe the same path: students are prepared for welding performance exams, and practical exams are administered at an accredited test facility. Cincinnati materials mention preparation for certification exams but do not confirm on-campus administration. Fortis publications do not identify any welding campus as an AWS Accredited Test Facility.

Career services and employer connections

Each Fortis campus has a Career Services Center, and the school advertises graduate employment assistance. During the final semester, students typically meet with a Director of Career Services. For welding, the published support includes resume assistance, personalized career guidance, and connections to local employers in campus markets such as Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio; Birmingham, Alabama; Cincinnati, Ohio; Houston South, Texas; and Smyrna (Atlanta), Georgia. The support model is consistent across the school's welding trade schools.

The Cincinnati program page adds that students receive personalized career guidance and resume assistance with local-employer connections in the Cincinnati metro. The career-services team helps graduates transition to entry-level positions, but Fortis does not publish named employer partners, formal contracts, or a job placement guarantee. The wording used across program materials is employment assistance, not guaranteed placement.

Welding roles graduates may enter

Fortis lists a broad set of entry-level welding outcomes, including Fabrication Welder, Fitter/Welder, MIG Welder, Maintenance Welder, Arc Operator, Welder, Welder Fitter/Fabricator, Aluminum Welder, Brazer, and Solderer. For Birmingham, the school describes entry as Industrial Welder, Welding Apprentice, or Check Welder. These titles reflect common entry points rather than guaranteed positions or wage outcomes.

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Common Questions About Fortis Welding Programs

The answers below focus on the welding diploma program as described across Fortis College program pages and the Houston South catalog. Costs and admissions details can vary by campus, so treat campus-specific figures as examples rather than a universal price.

What welding programs does Fortis College offer?

Fortis College offers a welding diploma program. The program is structured as a 48-week course of study with 960 contact hours and 64 quarter credits. Campus naming varies slightly, with some locations referring to it as Welding and others as Welding Technician, but the credential and core format are consistent across the published welding pages.

How much does Fortis welding program cost?

Fortis does not publish a single brand-wide welding school cost. The Houston South catalog lists $21,592 in tuition and $23,456 in total program cost for that campus, but other Fortis welding pages say costs vary by program and campus and direct prospective students to an admissions advisor for a personalized estimate.

Is Fortis welding program accredited?

The Fortis welding pages reviewed do not clearly state a program-level welding accreditation. That does not mean the school is unaccredited, but the specific welding accreditation is not confirmed on those pages. Prospective students should ask admissions directly for current institutional and programmatic accreditation details.

How long does it take to complete Fortis welding school?

Fortis describes the welding program as a 48-instructional-week diploma. The Houston South catalog matches that with 960 contact hours and 64 quarter credits. Completion time may depend on schedule and campus, but the published length is consistent at 48 instructional weeks.

Which Fortis campuses offer welding training?

Fortis welding training is available at several campus locations. Based on the program pages reviewed, welding is offered in Birmingham, Alabama; Smyrna, Georgia; Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio; Houston South, Texas; and Cincinnati, Ohio. Availability can change, so applicants should confirm current program offerings with the campus they are considering.

Does Fortis welding program prepare you for AWS certification?

The Fortis welding pages reviewed here do not clearly state that the program includes or guarantees AWS certification. Some outside listings mention a welding certification course, but that does not confirm AWS certification through Fortis. Students who want AWS credentials should ask the campus directly about test preparation and testing access.

How to Contact Fortis and Next Steps

Start by narrowing to the campus you are considering. Fortis offers welding programs at Birmingham, AL; Smyrna, GA; Cuyahoga Falls, OH; Houston South, TX; and Cincinnati, OH. Each campus page includes its own request information form, phone number, and address for scheduling visits and asking program questions. If you are comparing locations, use gowelding.org to view campus options before reaching out. A direct phone call often works well for schedule questions; the admissions team can confirm current start dates and seat availability. Calling early also helps you understand document and payment deadlines before the term begins.

Decision points before you apply

• Program level: Confirm that your campus offers the welding diploma pathway.
• Schedule and cost: Ask about start dates, weekly lab or booth time, and the published tuition total.
• Accreditation and certification: Verify whether the campus offers certification testing or prepares you for AWS credentials.

Next step

Request information from your preferred campus first. Then schedule an in-person tour of the welding lab and meet an instructor. When you are ready, complete the application through the campus admissions office.