Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW / MIG)

Our Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW or MIG) Welding course consists of 96 instructional hours designed to build strong foundational and practical welding skills. With our flexible rolling enrollment, you can join at any time and progress at a pace that fits your schedule while still completing all required instructional hours.

THE PROCESS: MIG welding is an arc welding process that creates a continuous electrical arc between a continuously fed, consumable wire electrode and the metal workpiece. This arc melts the metal, joining it with the wire, which acts as both the filler material and the electrode. A shielding gas flows from the gun nozzle to protect the weld puddle from atmospheric contamination, ensuring a clean and strong weld. MIG welding is versatile, suitable for various metals and thicknesses, and is a popular choice for both professional and hobbyist welders.

WHAT YOU LEARN: Students in MIG (Metal Inert Gas) welding learn to set up equipment, adjust voltage and wire feed speeds, and manage shielding gas flow to join metal parts safely. They practice proper techniques like gun angle, and travel speed, in order to create strong welds. 

CURRICULUM: Swaby Academy uses industry‑standard welding curriculum for each welding process, supported by an online learning platform that provides in‑depth instruction on welding safety, personal protective equipment (PPE), and core welding principles. Students are quizzed and graded on the material they study, ensuring they understand both the theory and the practical foundations required for success in the lab.

SCHEDULE: Classes are held Monday through Thursday, and on Saturdays. We offer morning, afternoon, and evening classes. Please contact us to build a schedule that works for you. We’re committed to flexibility and your success.

DURATION: Earn your AWS welding certification in as little as 8 weeks at Swaby Academy. Our flexible model allows you to customize your class schedule, with each welding process running 8–12 weeks based on your pace and availability, giving you control over your training timeline.

TESTING: A MIG weld test assesses a welder's ability to produce quality welds on a specified base metal and joint, using positions like flat (1G), horizontal (2G), vertical (3G), or overhead (4G), or specific joints like fillet or butt welds. The process involves preparing a test plate or pipe, making the required welds according to a WPS (Welding Procedure Specification), or standard guidelines, and then inspecting the weld for defects like undercutting or lack of fusion, and often performing a bend test or etch test to verify internal weld quality. Successful candidates receive a certificate and become AWS Certified Welders in whatever position(s) they've tested for. Students have the opportunity to perform testing in multiple positions for the process they've selected at no additional cost. All test fees are included in your course cost, ensuring a seamless path from training to credentialing.

REQUIRED PPE: For this course, students with need required PPE's such as welding helmet, gloves, FR welding jacket, and work boots. Students can purchase their PPE packet from Swaby Group. All tools and welding consumables are provided by Swaby Academy as part of the course.

PAYMENT: You can pay for your course online, or you can mail or hand-deliver a check, or pay cash at our office in Orange, Virginia.

Address: Swaby Academy, 385 Waugh Blvd, Orange, VA 22960

FINANCIAL AID: Students are encouraged to explore financial support options through our grants, scholarships and funding page, where we maintain an updated list of ongoing scholarships and grants dedicated specifically to welding and other skilled trades. These opportunities can help reduce tuition costs and make training more accessible for individuals beginning their journey in the trades.

INTERNATIONAL COST: Cost for International students includes all necessary PPE.