What Is It Known For?
Sun City Welding Academy started in 2021 and has quickly become the go-to welding school in West Texas. You’ll find they offer classes in both English and Spanish, which is pretty helpful if you’re more comfortable learning in Spanish. The school focuses on industrial pipe welding that you’ll use in oil and gas, commercial, and residential work.
You don’t need any welding experience to start here. They’ll take you from knowing nothing about welding to advanced combo pipe welding skills in just 24 weeks. The school also partners with ResponsiveEd’s Premier High School to train younger students through their Career and Technical Education program. Enrollment numbers aren’t available, but you’ll get training in all the major welding types.
Degrees & Certifications
Sun City Welding Academy offers certificate programs that give you hands-on training for real industry jobs. Your program will cover:
- MIG Welding
- TIG Welding
- Stick Welding
- Combination Pipe
- Pipeline Preparation
- Seminars on various alloys
The full program takes 24 weeks and covers 480 hours of training. You can also take shorter specialized courses depending on what type of welding you want to focus on.
Class Schedules
You’ll attend all your classes in person since welding really needs hands-on practice under the hood. The school offers 480 hours total, and you can go part-time or full-time depending on what works for your schedule.
They have morning, afternoon, and evening shifts, so you can probably find something that fits around your current job or family responsibilities. The programs don’t include externships since you’ll get all your practical experience right there in their welding shop.
Is It a Good School?
Yes. Sun City Welding Academy is a member of the American Welding Society as an educational institution, which shows they meet industry standards for welding education.
Acceptance Rate
The school doesn’t share acceptance rate information, but they do have basic requirements you need to meet. Make sure you check what they’re looking for before you apply.
How Much Does Tuition Cost?
Your tuition at Sun City Welding Academy depends on which program you pick:
- Introduction to welding: $2,500 for 4 weeks
- Plate SMAW: $3,500 for 8 weeks
- Pipe SMAW: $4,000 for 8 weeks
- Plate-Pipe SMAW: $6,500 for 12 weeks
- Pipe GTAW: $4,500 for 8 weeks
- Pipe Combination Welder: $7,000 for 16 weeks
- Combo Welder 480: $15,000 for 24 weeks
The good news is they offer tuition assistance and payment plans if you qualify. Since they don’t have an online calculator, you’ll want to call them directly to talk about costs and payment options that might work for you.
Programs & Courses
Skilled Trades
- Welding
Campus Locations
El Paso 6940 Commerce Avenue El Paso, TX 79915
Reviews
Based on reviews in Google, Sun City Welding Academy has an overwhelmingly positive and consistent 5.0-star reputation, particularly noted for its practical, hands-on training model and the deep industry knowledge of its staff. The feedback is consistently enthusiastic, and there are virtually no public criticisms.
Overall Score: 5.0/5 Stars
Common Praises
Exceptional Hands-On Training: Students highlight the “to the point” and “pure welding practice” approach, with training starting as early as the second day of enrollment. Students report being “in the booth practicing, getting better day by day,” preferring this over the excessive “bookwork” of other schools.
Highly Knowledgeable and Dedicated Staff: The owner and all instructors are consistently praised as knowledgeable, patient, and motivating mentors who have real-world experience and their own businesses in the industry. They are credited with making the process simple for beginners and are actively involved in helping students improve.
Supportive and Welcoming Environment: The school fosters a strong community atmosphere, with students often referring to it as the “Sun City Welding Academy family.” Staff, including the front office team, are repeatedly called “helpful,” “welcoming,” and professional, making the enrollment process smooth.
Veteran and Career Support: The academy is highly recommended for veterans transitioning out of the military, offering a flexible CSP program and an understanding environment to help them successfully secure welding jobs after training.
Flexible Scheduling: The flexible hours are a significant positive, helping those with a busy life or who are transitioning from other careers to pursue the trade.
Momentum
The momentum is extremely strong and sustained. Nearly all recent reviews (within the last few weeks to months) continue to give perfect 5-star ratings, specifically praising the hands-on experience and the helpfulness of both the instructors and front office staff. This demonstrates a high-quality experience that is consistent across all aspects of the academy and is maintained over time. The school is also actively engaged with its reviewers, often responding quickly to positive feedback.