Welding
Shielded Metal Arc Welding
Start with stick welding through a hands-on Saturday course in Middletown.
Dates
January 9, 2027 - April 3, 2027
Schedule
Saturday, 8:00 AM-4:00 PM Eastern
Location
Laurel Ridge Middletown Campus, Middletown; confirm welding lab assignment · Middletown, Virginia
Cost
$4,995 full tuition including supplies and testing; $1,665 eligible FastForward rate; G3 assistance requires approval
Welding opportunity
About the program
Learn safe setup, grinding and stick-welding techniques while practicing fillet welds in several positions. Instruction introduces weld defects and procedures and prepares learners to attempt an AWS-aligned plate-welding assessment.
AWS D1.1 SMAW plate-welding assessment opportunity, contingent on passing
Plan your next step
Funding for this program
These are routes to investigate, not an award or eligibility decision. Your residence, circumstances and exact enrollment matter; the training location alone does not qualify you. Confirm assistance before paying.
Provider identifies this route
FastForward funding pathways
Laurel Ridge labels the reviewed SMAW course as a FastForward grant program with a conditional reduced price.
Before enrolling: Ask Workforce Solutions about Virginia domicile, current section availability and the completion and payment agreement before registering.
Eligibility checks and sources
- Confirm the exact FastForward course and current entry requirements with the college.
- Ask separately about FANTIC, G3 or WIOA support; each route has its own conditions.
FastForward is a training pathway, not a promise that every learner pays nothing. Do not add different aid estimates together yourself.
Program connection checked ; review due . Funding guidance checked ; review due .
View this route in funding discoveryProvider identifies this route
Virginia G3 tuition assistance
The same SMAW listing identifies G3 as a possible route to cover the eligible student's share.
Before enrolling: Have the college assess your financial eligibility and available funds. Its advertised G3 price is conditional, not a guaranteed award or a second discount to add to FastForward.
Eligibility checks and sources
- Ask the college to assess in-state tuition status, household income and the exact program; the income threshold is 400% of federal poverty guidelines.
- Confirm enrollment and continuing requirements and apply for other federal or state aid for which you may be eligible.
Credit programs require at least six credits per semester; approved noncredit programs have a separate route. G3 is not automatic free college, a job guarantee or an amount to add to FastForward estimates.
Program connection checked ; review due . Funding guidance checked ; review due .
View this route in funding discoveryLooking for other options? In funding discovery, select the state where you live, which may differ from the training location. Results are starting points, not approved matches to this course.
Where to go
The exact training address has not yet been verified for our map. Confirm your class location with the provider before traveling; the provider's office may be elsewhere.
Approximate program area
Middletown, Virginia: city-level estimate, not a classroom address.
Nearby distances use this general area until a training address is verified. Locations may vary by section.
Area data: U.S. Census and GeoNames (CC BY 4.0).
What participants will learn
- +SMAW stick welding
- +Fillet welds
- +Weld defect recognition
- +Grinding
- +Welding procedures
Who this program is for
- +Age 18 or older under the welding handbook; confirm any exception directly with staff
- +Approximately tenth-grade reading comprehension
- +Closed-toe boots or shoes and long pants; follow all welding PPE rules
- +Provider specifies lifting 35 pounds and manual shop work; discuss accommodations
- +Complete registration, payment and required attendance