Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s)
Q: Where is Urban Workshop located?
A: We are located at 365-A Clinton Street, Costa Mesa, CA 92626. Near the cross roads of Redhill and Bristol in the heart of Orange County California.
Q: What are Urban Workshop’s operating hours?
A: Urban Workshop is open Monday through Friday 9 am to 9 pm and Saturday / Sunday 9 am to 4 pm.
Q: Can I get a tour or see the place before I sign up?
A: Yes! We do free tours anytime we are open. Please feel free to drop by anytime for a free tour. We are happy to show you the welding facilities and introduce you to the instructors.
Q: What certificate or credential do I get when I take a welding course?
A: Urban Workshop is an American Welding Society (AWS) Approved Test Facility (ATF) so every course ends with you taking the related AWS certification test. If you pass that test you will be an AWS certified welder and will receive your welding certificate directly from the AWS.
Q: What’s the big deal about the AWS?
A: The AWS is the only internationally recognized welding certification body and they are based in the United States. You can find more information on them here: www.AWS.org.
Q: Is Urban Workshop an accredited school?
A: No. Urban Workshop is an American Welding Society (AWS) Approved Test Facility (ATF) that tests and certifies welders to the AWS standards. What this means to you is, instead of receiving class credit and a transcript for completing a class, we test you to the AWS standards, and if you pass you receive AWS welder certification directly from the AWS.
Q: What’s the deal with the other accredited schools that are not AWS ATF’s?
A: Use extreme caution when dealing with schools that do not give you an AWS credential. They try to fool you by giving you a certificate of completion (aka diploma) that frankly is not worth the paper it is written on. ONLY AWS certifications are accepted by employers as proof that you are a certified welder. Those certificates might be recognized locally but they are NOT recognized as a legitimate credential by most employers and will not help you get a job at a reputable manufacturer such as Boeing, Space-x and other major contractors.
Q: If Urban Workshop is not a school, what caliber of teachers do you have?
A: All of our instructors are either AWS Certified Educators (CWE’s) or AWS Certified Inspectors (CWI’s). These are the highest of qualification for instructors in the industry. In addition, all of our instructors practice what they teach and have multiple AWS certifications themselves. They will teach you the skills you need to be a good welder, pass the welder qualification tests, and be a great employee.
Q: How does the class scheduling work?
A: Our training sessions are scheduled Monday thru Friday at the following times: 9am to 1pm, 1pm to 5pm, and 5pm to 9pm. When you enroll in a course you get some number of sessions. You will then coordinate with our front desk team to select the days and times you want for your class. This provides you absolute flexibility to attend classes on your schedule and get them done as fast or slow as you want.
Q: What if I don’t pass the AWS performance qualification test?
A: Depending on which standard you tested to you may be able to retest right away or there may be a small time requirement before you retest so that you can get additional practice before retesting.
Q: What does it cost if I want to take additional tests?
A: Each class includes at least one test. If you wish to take additional tests they are priced individually and can be scheduled back to back with your class.
Q: What if I am an experienced welder and just want to take the test?
A: No problem! Urban Workshop is unique in that we allow you to take just the welder qualification test if you feel you are prepared to take it.
Q: What if I am experienced and want just a little practice and instructor guidance before I take a test?
A: You can sign up for the Test Practice sessions. You get four 4-hour sessions with the instructor on the actual machines you will be testing on. Then you can schedule and take your test right away.
Q: Can I come to Urban Workshop and practice outside of my scheduled class hours?
A: Yes. Every Urban Workshop student gets one free month of membership when they start their program. This provides access to the shop facilities 7 days a week so you can practice as much as you like or need. In addition, members get discounts on classes offered on our hobby side and discounts from local vendors on materials and equipment.
Q: Do you accept state vouchers or GI Bill funds?
A: Not yet. As this is a relatively new program we are in the process of applying to the state and federal government agencies to be able to accept those funds and vouchers in the future. Due to the level of bureaucracy involved it will likely be late 2024 before we get any approval information.