Welding Instructor

Confidential Company; Charleston (SC); On-site; USD 45,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Confidential Company seeks an experienced Welding Instructor to lead lectures, labs, and shop sessions for a tuition-based welding education program. You will ensure curriculum alignment, safety, and compliance with AWS SENSE requirements while mentoring students toward entry-level welding roles.

The role emphasizes high-quality instruction, robust student support during office hours, and active participation in program development and budgeting initiatives.

Qualifications

• AWS CWI or CWE certification is required or preferred.
• Associate’s Degree or equivalent work experience preferred.
• High school diploma or GED required.
• Five years minimum in custom manufacturing and welding experience.
• Two years minimum training, facilitation or management experience.
• Solid understanding of the manufacturing and welding industry.
• Ability to teach performance test modules to diverse student groups.

Responsibilities

• Deliver lectures, labs and classroom instruction aligned to curriculum.
• Adhere to course outlines, objectives and assessment methods.
• Maintain daily instructional lesson plans and document activities.
• Instruct welding tools, equipment use, and applicable codes/standards.
• Advise students on performance, policies and expectations.
• Keep Director informed of student progress and concerns.
• Provide textbook, equipment, and supply recommendations when requested.
• Lead training courses for the tuition-based welding program.
• Maintain 90% graduation and job placement rate annually.
• Track attendance and retention per policy.
• Participate in required meetings and committees.
• Oversee inventory and secure storage of equipment and supplies.

Skills

Organizational skills

Communication skills

Team building

Welding proficiency

Teaching facilitation

Industry knowledge

Class management

Performance testing

Education

AWS CWI or CWE

Associate’s Degree or equivalent in work experience

High School Graduate or GED

Job description

This position is responsible for facilitating and executing training and educational courses for a tuition-based welding school and oversees all operations and instruction for this school.

Responsibilities and Duties:

• Deliver all lectures, lab sessions, and classroom instruction in alignment with the established curriculum standards.
• Adhere to current course outlines, objectives, and assessment methods for the program.
• Maintain a daily instructional lesson plan documenting teaching activities.
• Teach students core subject matter, including proper use, care, and safe operation of welding tools, equipment, and applicable codes and standards.
• Educate students on the value of precision, organization, productivity, initiative, and strong work habits needed for success in manufacturing careers.
• Evaluate assignments, return graded work promptly, and submit final course grades within required timelines.
• Offer academic support to students during scheduled office hours or by appointment.
• Advise students regarding academic performance, institutional policies, and expectations.
• Keep the Director informed of student progress and any concerns related to student issues.
• Provide written recommendations for current textbook, equipment, and supply needs when requested by the Director.
• Obtain required supplies and instructional materials from the administrative office as needed.
• Ensure students consistently adhere to catalog policies and program guidelines.
• Participate in all mandatory meetings set by the Director or Executive Sponsor.
• Serve on assigned committees such as curriculum development or retention, based on expertise and program needs.
• Work with the Director and/or Executive Sponsor to provide annual budget recommendations when required.
• Oversee and document the inventory of equipment and supplies, ensuring items are secured in locked storage areas.
• Lead and conduct training and instructional courses for a tuition-based welding education program.
• Teach course material in accordance with AWS SENSE instructional requirements.
• Provide high‑quality instruction that equips students with the skills needed for entry‑level welding positions.
• Maintain an annual graduation and job placement rate of 90% or higher.
• Track and document student attendance and retention as required by policy.
• Stay current in the professional field by engaging in faculty development activities such as seminars, reading industry literature, or completing online training.
• Other duties as assigned

Education and Experience:

• High School Graduate or GED
• Associate’s Degree or equivalent in work experience preferred
• American Welding Society (AWS) Certified Welding Instructor (CWI) or Certified Welding Educator (CWE)

Required Skills and Abilities:

• Exceptional organizational, communication, and team building skills
• Must be able to facilitate small (1 - 5 students) to medium (6 - 14 students) size classes (class sizes may increase over time)
• The position requires high weld proficiency including advanced skills in GMAW, FCAW, GTAW, and SMAW in all positions on different alloys
• Five (5) years minimal in custom manufacturing and welding experience
• Two (2) years minimum training and facilitation or management experience
• Should have a good understanding of the manufacturing / welding industry
• Must be able to demonstrate and instruct every performance test module to students from different backgrounds, ethnicity, nationalities, gender, age, religions, or disabilities in the classroom and in the lab, using a variety of teaching methods such as lectures, demonstrations and using audiovisual and technological aids to supplement the presentations