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Completing this registration is only one part of the registration process. You will also need to complete the online application linked here: https://www.opnextjobs.com/application-opnext/ for a position in the program to be reserved for you. Once we receive both the registration and application, we will send you a follow-up email to confirm your schedule and start date. Due to the high interest in the program, there may be a one-to-two-week delay before you receive the scheduling email. If you do not receive a follow-up email within two weeks, please reach out to Kelby Thornton by email at [email protected].

The Welding program on average takes around 4 – 6 months to complete for new students with no prior experience. If you already have experience or are willing to commit to practicing consistently then the program could be completed within 3 – 4 months.

The regular workshop schedule for welding is as follows:

Regular Class - Monday – Thursday 2 pm – 5 pm (Pensacola)

Regular Class- Monday – Thursday 3:30pm - 5:00pm (Milton)

Projected 2025_2026 Schedule (New students can begin during the months listed)

August 2025

October 2025

January 2026

March 2026

May 2026

Welding Program Breakdown (Students will be given their core and welding books before starting the program)

Core Book

The welding program consists of two parts. The first part is the core/safety training. Students will receive their core book and will study a chapter from the book, before scheduling a review with their instructor, and then taking an exam for that chapter at the testing center. This process will continue for all the chapters in the core book until the book has been completed.

Welding Book

After completing the core section, students will move on to study the specified chapters in the welding book. After studying the chapter, the student will schedule time with their instructor to come into the workshop and practice the welding skills learned in the book. The students will continue to come into the workshop to practice until they can pass the practical assessment for that skill. Afterward, the student will move on to the next chapter and repeat this process until the program has been completed.

Taking and passing the Core Certification is a requirement before workshop time. Currently the test has to be taken in the testing center on Pensacola or Milton Campus which are open Monday-Friday 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. *** This is currently our only testing times available, so if you will not be able to test within these time frame for whatever reason please consider selecting the CNC program instead.***