Western Welding Academy was founded in 2019 by Tyler Sasse, a career pipeline welder who saw a gap in quality hands-on welding education across the country. Tyler built the school from the ground up with one goal in mind: produce job-ready welders who can step onto a pipeline or construction site and perform from day one. That vision drives everything we do, from how we design our programs to how we select our instructors.Every program at Western Welding Academy is built around real job site demands, not textbook theory. Students spend 85% of their training time in the welding booth working with the same equipment, materials, and processes used on active pipelines and construction projects nationwide. Our instructors bring 330+ combined years of real-world experience in pipeline welding, structural welding, and specialty processes. They do not just teach from a manual. They coach students one-on-one based on decades of field knowledge.Graduates leave Western Welding Academy with AWS certifications, a professional welding portfolio, and direct connections to hiring contractors and employers across the country. Over 2,000 students have completed our programs since 2019. 94% of those graduates were hired within 90 days of finishing their training. Most graduates earn back their full tuition within 5 to 7 months of starting work, with annual salaries ranging from $40,000 to $125,000 depending on the program completed and career path chosen.The campus is located at 26 Kinsey Lane in Gillette, Wyoming. Students come from all 50 states to train here. All tuition is all-inclusive, covering student housing, tools, welding materials, and certifications. There are no hidden fees and no surprise costs. Financial aid options are available for those who qualify.Western Welding Academy offers four programs designed for different experience levels. The Foundational Pipe Welder program is 12 weeks at $17,050 and is designed for students with no prior welding experience. The Professional Pipe Welder program runs 19 weeks at $27,600 for students ready to take their skills to the next level. The Expert Pipe Welder program is our most advanced track at 24 weeks and $35,800, preparing students for top-tier pipeline careers. The Advanced Structural Welding program covers 12 weeks at $25,800 for students focused on structural and industrial welding.Whether you are starting from zero experience or looking to advance from structural welding into pipe, Western Welding Academy has a program built for your goals. Fill out the application below to take the first step. An admissions advisor will contact you within one business day. For questions, call (307) 284-5313.