Welder Underground’s paid apprenticeships are made possible by a community of individual donors, foundation partners, and organizations investing in the next generation of welders.

Your support allows apprentices to earn while they learn and build a future in welding and metal fabrication.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Yes. Welder Underground is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, so donations are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.

  • Your donation helps power Welder Underground’s paid, project-based apprenticeship program. It supports hands-on welding and metal fabrication training, large-scale public art projects, and the opportunity for apprentices to build real skills, gain experience, and work toward AWS certification, while making them job ready with a pipeline to employment.

  • Apprentices are attending classes Monday- Friday from 8:45 AM-6PM. They earn $600 per week, plus receive a monthly metro card for transportation. In addition, we provide apprentices with the proper PPE they need to be safe in the shop.

  • We welcome conversations about in-kind support. Reach out through our contact page with what you’d like to contribute, and we’ll let you know whether it aligns with our current program needs.

  • A tribute gift is a meaningful way to support this work. Reach out to us directly, and we’ll help you arrange a donation in honor or in memory of someone.

  • Yes. We welcome conversations with employers looking to connect with emerging welders and metal fabricators. Welder Underground apprentices build hands-on experience through real projects, technical training, and fabrication work. We are always seeking new relationships to forge a future for our apprentices. Please contact us, we would love to connect.