Start prepping NOW for your dream job or work-anywhere trade skills!
Hone Your Welding Skills While Preparing for Certification
In our current digital-dominant world, there’s something particularly appealing about someone who still makes a living with their hands. Do you have more of an analog, old-school soul? Do you enjoy working with your hands to build machines that last lifetimes? Are you captivated by welding, fabrication and metalwork? If this sounds like you, then a career in the welding industry could play right into your hands. Take a truly hands-on, deep dive into the time-tested, world-building realms of welding, fabrication and materials joining — with Introduction, Intermediate and Advanced (CAPSTONE) level classes all available. If you want to break into this industry and learn what it takes to earn your living as a certified welder, this program will surely get you fired up.
What You'll Learn
From 9th grade upward, enroll in courses (Advanced Level is A-G approved) to start preparing for your skilled trade career. Classes include:
- CTE Intro Welding & Fabrication
- CTE Con Welding & Fabrication
- CTE Cap Welding & Fabrication
What You’ll Do
Take what you’re learning in the classroom into the real world and experience for yourself all that awaits you in the time-honored and always-needed skilled trade industry. Hands-on, immersive experiences include:
- Intensive welding work
- Professional guest speakers
Who You Can Be
Kickstart your career path with top-tier academic instruction and industry-leader insights. The Welding program prepares you for potential careers such as:
- Certified Welder
- Certified Union Welder
Industry Average Wages: $47,840-$162,240
Projected Industry Growth: 3%

What You Need to Know
VUSD’s Welding CTE track prepares students for successful careers in the skilled trade industry, with a particular focus on welding and fabrication work. Students (grades 9 and up) learn vital skills such as tool safety, project planning, project construction and project finishing, earning a California state Professional Certification. The program is based at Buena High School and leads directly to VUSD’s Welding pathway. Students learn and sharpen skills with extensive welding experience under high-level direction. Students also benefit from respected guest speakers within the skilled trade industry, as well as partnerships with renowned local businesses like Elite Plating, Syndicated Machine, Royal Hydraulics and C&R Molds. Students emerge from this truly hands-on program with enhanced skills, confidence, direct access to a powerful pathway and a valuable Ventura College credit.
Get a jump start on your college future by earning college credits and valuable real-world skills you can use for college and career.
2 Year
AS Engineering Welding - Ventura College
4 Year
BS Industrial Engineer - Cal Poly San Luis Obispo