Bloomfield Auto Repair School Says Demand For Welders Is Red Hot

BLOOMFIELD, NJ — Sparks will soon fly on the Bloomfield campus of Universal Technical Institute (UTI).

In an attempt to shore up a profession that’s one of the “backbones of the U.S. economy,” the trade school is expanding one of its most popular offerings to Bloomfield: welding technology training.

According to UTI administrators, the 36-week course gives students the skills needed to launch a welding career in industries that range from automotive fabrication to aerospace. The curriculum is developed in partnership with Lincoln Electric, one of the largest welding industry companies in the nation.

The first class at UTI-Bloomfield begins on July 19. Enrollment began earlier this month (learn more here).

“Welders are the backbone of our economy,” UTI-Bloomfield President Shawn Alexander said. “We’re excited to offer a program that will address the continually growing demand for welders in New Jersey and neighboring states.”

Is there still a need for welding in a modern economy? You bet, UTI says:

“Even amid persisting unemployment in the U.S., welders are highly sought after in industries ranging from automotive fabrication and motorsports to aerospace, construction and virtually every kind of manufacturing. Certified welders are particularly in-demand for major infrastructure projects that keep our nation moving: vehicles, bridges, highways, office buildings, schools, pipelines, power plants, refineries, spacecraft and more. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects there will be more than 488,000 job openings for welders by the year 2028. The demand for welders in New Jersey mirrors that of the rest of the country. The metropolitan Tri-State area of New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania has one of the highest levels of employment for welders in the country, while the average annual salary for welders in the Garden State is $49,330.”

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