What Does Ben Franklin Career Center Offer for Welding Students?
Ben Franklin Career Center in Dunbar, West Virginia offers a certificate in welding through its Certified Welder (ACE Adult Program) program. The school awarded 4 welding credentials in 2024–25. Best for training for pipe welding work.
Plate, Pipe and Process Training at Ben Franklin Career Center
A seven-month, full-day adult cohort that runs through FCAW and GTAW pipe work and offers up to eight WV Department of Education welding certification tests.
- Stick (SMAW)
- MIG (GMAW)
- TIG (GTAW)
- Flux-cored (FCAW)
- Pipe welding
- Oxy-fuel and plasma cuttingthermal cutting
- Fabrication and blueprint reading
- Inspection and testing
Ben Franklin Career Center by the Numbers: 4 Welding Awards in 2024–25
- Welding certificates awarded
- 4 2024–25
- Students enrolled
- 78 school-wide, Fall 2024
Tuition and fees are for a full-time year. Awards count welding credentials conferred. Graduation rate and enrollment cover the whole school. Source: NCES College Navigator.
The Ben Franklin Career Center Welding Certificate
| Award | Type | Length |
|---|---|---|
| Certified Welder | Certificate | 900 clock hours |
As listed on Ben Franklin Career Center's welding program page, reviewed September 25, 2026.
Class Schedule and Certification Testing at Ben Franklin Career Center
Schedule. Full-day, seven-month program; Monday-Friday 8:00AM-2:30PM; sessions begin July, March or October on a two-year rotation (next class begins October 26, 2026).
Testing. Successful students may have the opportunity to take up to eight West Virginia Department of Education Welding certification tests and an OSHA 10 certification.
Where you'll Train: Ben Franklin Career Center
- Ben Franklin Career Center500 28th Street, Dunbar, WV 25064
Check start dates, admission steps and the current course list on Ben Franklin Career Center's own site.
Visit bf.kana.k12.wv.usWhat Welders Earn in West Virginia
Across West Virginia, the median welder wage is $48,810 a year, from $36,700 at the 10th percentile to $73,780 at the 90th, with 2,100 welders employed. The national median is $53,750. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025.
5 More Welding Schools Within 39 Miles of Dunbar
- BridgeValley Community & Technical College3 mi · $5,800/yr
- Boone Career and Technical Center18 mi
- Cabell County Career Technology Center34 mi
- Mountwest Community and Technical College38 mi · $4,938/yr
- Southern West Virginia Community and Technical College39 mi · $5,136/yr
Straight-line distance between campuses. All welding schools in West Virginia
Ben Franklin Career Center Welding FAQ
Does Ben Franklin Career Center Have a Welding Program?
Yes. Ben Franklin Career Center offers a certificate in welding at Ben Franklin Career Center. Training covers stick (SMAW), MIG (GMAW), TIG (GTAW), flux-cored (FCAW), pipe welding.
How Long Is the Welding Program at Ben Franklin Career Center?
Certified Welder: 900 clock hours.
Does Ben Franklin Career Center Offer Night or Weekend Welding Classes?
Full-day, seven-month program; Monday-Friday 8:00AM-2:30PM; sessions begin July, March or October on a two-year rotation (next class begins October 26, 2026).
Can You Get Welding Certified at Ben Franklin Career Center?
Successful students may have the opportunity to take up to eight West Virginia Department of Education Welding certification tests and an OSHA 10 certification.
How Much Do Welders Make in West Virginia?
The median welder wage in West Virginia is $48,810 a year, and the middle half earn between $39,900 and $60,170 (BLS, May 2025).
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