Prospective candidates are strongly encouraged to join the pre-registration list to solidify a spot for the Polk State Welding Program

Polk State College is offering a pre-registration list due to the overwhelming interest in its Welding Program that will launch in spring 2027. Prospective candidates are strongly encouraged to sign up for the pre-registration list to receive 72 hours of advanced notice before the official launch of program registration. Interested individuals can sign up for the pre-registration list by emailing: trainingsolutions@polk.edu.

The program is supported by a $2.8 million Florida Job Growth Grant awarded by FloridaCommerce and will be housed at Polk State’s Advanced Technology Center in Bartow, where participants will complete hands-on training with professional instruction and cutting-edge technology.

This will prepare them for certifications in Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW), Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW), Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)-10, and many more career opportunities.

Welding training and experience can be used in a variety of fields including agriculture, construction, manufacturing, transportation, logistics, and utilities and energy.

This program will build on Polk State’s successful Computer Numeric Control (CNC) Production Specialist Program, which is also expanding with the Florida Job Growth Grant. Over the three-year grant period, it is the goal that 300 students will receive CNC or welding education to fill in-demand, high-wage careers in Polk County.