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Career Readiness

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While the demand for skilled workers is rising every day, the jobs landscape is also getting increasingly competitive. Therefore, professionals may not know what to expect upon leaving school or changing careers. The Career Readiness Online Course introduces the basic steps inherent to the hiring process, specific to the welding industry.

With the help of industry hiring managers, this self-paced course is a powerful resource for anyone looking to begin their career in welding, reenter the workforce, or transition into a new role or field within the industry.

Participants will learn insights into best practices directly from industry hiring managers throughout this course. They’ll also learn how to position themselves to stand out as a top candidate. By the end of the course, they can confidently prepare a resume for an interview and bench test. Participants will also earn PDHs/CEUs upon completion.

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at a glance

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Price

Member: $145
Non-member: $193
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Materials Access

60 days

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Length & PDH / CEU

Approximately 8 hours
8 PDHs / 0.8 CEUs

Course Details

  • Who Should Take This Course
  • Prerequisites
  • Objectives
  • Student Learning Outcomes
  • Course Modules
  • Welding program participants or entry-level individuals seeking to begin a career in the trades (welding industry or similar field)
  • Experienced welding industry professionals looking to transition to a new role within the trades (welding or related industry)
  • Individuals looking to re-enter the workforce after an extended period of inactivity

These individuals may belong to one or more of the following categories:

  • High-school or technical college students CTE program participants (e.g., Job Corps)
  • SENSE program participants (including those in correctional facilities)
  • Current tack welders, welders, and welding operators
  • Individuals without recent professional experience (Veterans, ex-offenders, former retirees, etc.)

There are no academic or professional prerequisites for taking this course. However, a basic knowledge of standard welding terms and fundamental principles is highly recommended. Students unfamiliar with welding processes and terminology are encouraged to complete the AWS Welding Fundamentals online course before starting this one.

This course teaches students how to:

  • Apply academic and critical thinking skills necessary for welding
  • Bolster professionalism through the development and refinement of personal qualities and interpersonal skills
  • Locate, utilize, and disseminate information in the workplace
  • Integrate within the culture and organizational structure of an organization
  • Embrace technology in the workplace
  • Write an effective resume
  • Prepare for a job interview and welding test

Upon completion of the Career Readiness course, students will be able to:

  • Apply academic knowledge and critical thinking to jobs in welding
  • Show various personal qualities that will improve their standing in the company
  • Demonstrate interpersonal skills for problem-solving, working on a team, and showing leadership potential
  • Manage time, resources, and finances to better their career
  • Find, analyze, and apply information to solve welding-related issues
  • Explain the organizational structure at a typical welding shop
  • Analyze the appropriate technology for a particular welding task
  • Choose an applicable resource to find a welding job
  • Create or revise a resume so it is tailored to the industry
  • Evaluate strategies for a successful interview and bench test
  • MODULE 1 – Course Introduction
  • MODULE 2 – Applied Academic Skills
  • MODULE 3 – Critical Thinking Skills
  • MODULE 4 – Personal Qualities
  • MODULE 5 – Interpersonal Skills
  • MODULE 6 – Managing Resources
  • MODULE 7 – Information Use
  • MODULE 8 – Big Picture Thinking
  • MODULE 9 – Technology Use
  • MODULE 10 – The Job Search
  • MODULE 11 – Resume Writing
  • MODULE 12 – Interviewing
  • MODULE 13 – Getting Started and Getting Ahead

Frequently Asked Questions

  • What is the Career Readiness self-paced online course?
    The Career Readiness course is an online, on-demand training that teaches the basic steps of the hiring process specific to the welding industry, including how to prepare a resume, interview, and bench test — with insights directly from industry hiring managers.
  • Who should take this AWS Career Readiness course?
    The course is designed for welding program participants, entry-level job seekers, experienced professionals transitioning careers, and individuals re-entering the workforce who want to build workplace skills and improve job prospects in the welding trades.
  • How long does the Career Readiness course take and how long do I have access?
    The self-paced course takes approximately 8 hours to complete. Participants receive 30 days of access to course materials plus an additional period to complete the exam.
  • Do I get a certificate or continuing education credits?
    Yes — after passing the final exam with the required score (usually 75% or higher), you’ll earn a printable Certificate of Completion and 8 Professional Development Hours (PDHs) / 0.8 Continuing Education Units (CEUs).
  • Are there prerequisites or required materials for the Career Readiness course?
    No formal prerequisites are required, though basic knowledge of welding terms and fundamentals is recommended. All course content is included online, so no additional materials or purchases are necessary.

Comprehensive support for your welding education journey

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Comprehensive support for your welding education journey

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Questions about course content?
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