Industrial Grade Education

Ozark Welding Institute

More than just a welding school. We are welding.

We teach skills that are in demand, transferable and employable for a serious career.

18 weeks to a six-figure income.

What We Do

At OWI, we teach a specialized version of an already uncommon skill and we teach it at the highest level of execution. We not only teach welding ability, we teach employability, and our system of instruction is not limited by processes, materials or ability. This allows students to receive instruction not available anywhere else and to be versatile in an ever-changing field.

Why Choose OWI?

Train At Your Own Pace

Ozark Welding Institutes program has been implemented and perfected for over 10 years to ensure the success of the individual by allowing them to progress at their own pace. At OWI you will never be pushed onto the next thing before you have a solid grasp of the basics, and, alternatively, you won’t be held back if you’re ready to advance onto more difficult training.

Real World Experience

Everything you will do at OWI was designed to have real world employability in the industrial construction industry. This is accomplished through the tools you will use, the welding machines, the materials to be welded, and even the expectations from the instructors. OWI uses simulators of equipment that you will find in refineries, nuclear, coal, LNG, oil, gas, chemical, paper mills, etc.

Flexibility

You can start your training at any time — no semesters or waiting periods. OWI offers many different class schedules and options that allow the student to choose what’s best for them, and you can always change class schedule if there is availability.

Well Rounded Graduates

You won’t just learn welding at OWI. You will also learn Safety, Fitting, Rigging, Math, Quality Control, and Metallurgy, just to name a few. Our goal is to make the most versatile, employable, and safe welders possible.

Small Class Size

OWI has a small student-to-instructor ratio. OWI will never use a “teacher’s assistant.” You’re paying for hands-on instruction from a seasoned welder, and that’s what you should get. The open layout and small class size allows one instructor to observe everyone at once so if you lift your hood for help, odds are your instructor will be right behind you.

Income

OWI graduates go on to easily earn upwards of 120K+ a year. This is because we focus on teaching the highest paying processes and materials.

Courses

Introduction To Welding (80 Hours)

This program is designed for persons who want a basic foundation of welding knowledge. Covers SMAW,GTAW,GMAW, and FCAW on Plate.

Industrial Welder Part 1 (225 Hours)

This course begins the path to employment in the industrial welding sector covering SMAW and GTAW of pipe and plate.

Industrial Welder Part 2 (225 Hours)

This course continues to build upon part one by adding exotic alloys including stainless, chrome, Inconel, various simulators as well as more advanced training including pipefitting, metallurgy and CWI knowledge. Students who complete this course will be marketable in the six figure salary range.
All Students, regardless of program, are provided with all necessary tools and materials as well as AWS curriculum and OSHA 10 Training.

Financing

OWI offers many finance opportunities. Please contact us to discuss which option is right for you.

Student Housing Assistance & Relocation

Student Housing Coming Soon! Until then, EDUrent has partnered with OWI to help you find the ideal student housing solution. EDUrent goes beyond standard property listings and can help you find roommates or even assist in raising money to help pay for your housing.

The Instructor

Dustin Shively is a CWI / CWE / API 510 / 570 / 1169 / and NCCER Certified Pipe Fitter with over 15 years of industrial welding and inspection experience. Dustin obtained a certificate of applied welding technologies from Withlacoochee Technical College in 2006 and began welding in coal power, nuclear power, HRSG, papermills, refineries, chemical plants, and pipelines before obtaining his CWI in 2014. As a CWI, Dustin has tested hundreds of welders, inspected thousands of welds, and managed very successful quality programs for fortune 500 companies. Dustin took a position at a nationally known welding school, but was troubled by how students were treated and knew there had to be a better way. In 2017, Dustin found the answer as program coordinator with Bechtel, teaching soldiers how to weld in 18 weeks and then sending them to projects to work for Bechtel. Many graduates from that program went on to outperform seasoned journeymen with much more experience, and OWI’s program is built from the foundation of that proven success.

Additional Services

Welding Testing

WPS and PQR

Non-Destructive Testing

Fabrication

Welding Repairs

Inspection

CWI Classes

Contact Us

Get In Touch

If you have any questions or would like to schedule a tour, reach out to us now! You can call us at (479) 883-7695 or simply fill out the contact form below.

(479) 883-7695

3705 Wheeler Ave
Fort Smith AR 72901