Earning your specialized welding certification can reward you in significant ways, including higher salary potential, more employment options, and better job stability.
Sections & Student Chapters
Sections and Student Chapters: The Heart of AWS
Sections and Student Chapters: The Heart of AWS
Sections are the foundation of AWS. These local groups help shape our global organization and the welding industry in general. Student Chapters are affiliated with local Sections and are located at educational institutions around the world. As members of Student Chapters, aspiring welding professionals gain access to unique resources and opportunities intended to prepare them for a successful career in welding.
Sections
AWS Sections unite people who share a passion for the welding industry. Our sections provide opportunities for personal and professional development via networking, mentorship, hands-on activities, access to AWS resources, and more.
AWS Section activities are open to all; however, Sections may extend special benefits to active AWS Members — including free access to AWS codes, standards, and publications. Find an AWS Section near you below.
Student Chapters
By providing access to unique resources and opportunities, AWS Student Chapters help aspiring industry professionals build the connections and skills they need for a successful career in the welding industry.
Find a Student Chapter near you below. If you would like more information on how to charter an AWS Student Chapter, please contact sections@aws.org.
Find an AWS Section or DISTRICT NEAR YOU
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District Map
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District/Section Directory
District 1
Sections Names: Boston • Central Mass/Rhode Island • Connecticut • Green & White Mountains • Maine • Montreal
District 2
Sections Names: Delmarva • Long Island • New Jersey • New York • Philadelphia
District 3
Sections Names: Central Pennsylvania • Cumberland Valley • Lehigh Valley • Reading • Washington, DC • York-Lancaster
District 4
Sections Names: Carolina • Charlotte • Northeastern Carolina • Southwest Virginia • Tidewater • Triangle
District 5
Sections Names: Atlanta • Central Florida-Orlando • Columbia • Florida West Coast • North Central Florida • North Florida • Palm Beach • South Carolina • South Florida
District 6
Sections Names: Niagara Frontier • Northern New York • Rochester • Syracuse • Twin Tiers
District 7
Sections Names: Cincinnati • Columbus • Dayton • Johnny Appleseed • Johnstown-Altoona • Mid-Ohio Valley • Pittsburgh • Tri-State • Wheeling
District 8
Sections Names: Chattanooga • Greater Huntsville • Holston Valley • Nashville • Northeast Mississippi • Northeast Tennessee • Western Carolina • West Tennessee
District 9
Sections Names: Acadiana • Auburn-Opelika • Baton Rouge • Birmingham • Central Louisiana • Mobile • Morgan City • New Orleans • Pascagoula
District 10
Sections Names: Cleveland • Drake Well • Mahoning Valley • Northwestern Pennsylvania • Stark Central
District 11
Sections Names: Central Michigan • Detroit • Northern Michigan • Northwest Ohio • Saginaw Valley • West Michigan
District 12
Sections Names: Fox Valley • Lakeshore • Madison-Beloit • Milwaukee • Racine/Kenosha • Upper Peninsula
District 13
Sections Names: Blackhawk • Chicago • Illinois Valley • J.A.K. • Peoria
District 14
Sections Names: Indiana • Lexington • Louisville • Sangamon Valley • St. Louis • Tri-River
District 16
Sections Names: Eastern Iowa • Iowa • Kansas • Kansas City • Mid-Plains • Nebraska • Siouxland • Southeast Nebraska
District 17
Sections Names: Central Arkansas • Central Texas • East Texas • North Texas • Northeastern Arkansas • Oklahoma City • Ozark • Tulsa
District 18
Sections Names: Chihuahua • Corpus Christi • El Paso • Houston • Lake Charles • Monterrey • Rio Grande Valley • Sabine • San Antonio
District 19
Sections Names: Alaska • Alberta • British Columbia • Inland Empire • Greater Oregon • Puget Sound Olympic • Spokane
District 20
Sections Names: Colorado • Idaho/Montana • New Mexico • Southern Colorado • Utah • Wyoming
District 21
Sections Names: Arizona • California Central Coast • Hawaii • Kern • Long Beach/Orange County • Los Angeles/Inland Empire • Nevada • San Diego • San Fernando Valley
District 22
Sections Names: Central Valley • Sacramento Valley • San Francisco • Santa Clara Valley • Sierra Nevada
Meetings & Resources
Meetings & Resources
Upcoming Meetings: Visit the AWS Calendar
The AWS Calendar can help you find upcoming Section and Student Chapter meetings near you.
Section and Student Volunteer Leader Resources
Section and Student Volunteer Leader Resources
AWS Sections and Student Chapters are led by volunteers who serve as ambassadors of AWS and contribute their time, effort, and passion for the industry to make information, resources, and support more accessible to other industry professionals. AWS provides resources to ensure our volunteer leaders have the tools needed to effectively manage the Sections they lead.