Our mission

About us

Building the next generation of welders in Gillette, Wyoming.

Our mission

Building the next generation

Western Welding Academy was founded in Gillette, Wyoming with one goal: build the best pipe welders in the country. Every decision here is driven by outcomes.

Founder Tyler Sasse built Western Welding Academy to fix a gap in trades education: most welding schools spread training too thin. Western Welding Academy focuses on pipe and structural welding only, with 85% of training time spent booth side on real materials.

Instructors bring over 330 combined years of field experience across pipelines, refineries, power plants, and structural projects. They teach to the standards employers actually expect on the job.

For too long, our country has pushed college as the only path, leaving trades under-appreciated.

Now, as industry returns to America, we face a crisis a shortage of skilled workers. At Western Welding Academy, we’re here to change that.

Western Welding Academy instructors, black and white — The crewWWA instructors

The results back it up

2,000+ graduates
94%^* hired within 90 days
85% of class time in the booth
students from all 50 states

Hired within 90 days: survey of 234 alumni, Nov 2024.

Check out our story

Who we are

Meet the teamWho we areInstructors and founder

Meet our founder

Tyler Sasse

Founder & CEO of Western Welding Academy 20 years of welding experience

Tyler is a master welder, educator, and industry leader dedicated to training elite pipe welders. As Founder & CEO of Western Welding Academy, he built a hands-on, no-nonsense training program that prepares students for high-paying careers.

A welder by trade, Tyler saw the industry’s demand for top-tier talent and the lack of real-world training. In 2019, he launched Western Welding Academy in Gillette, Wyoming, where students learn under job-site conditions.

His purpose: Build a better generation. His mission: Deliver student outcomes.

Our founder's letter

“America was built by skilled workers. It’s time to bring that strength back.”

This country was built on the backs of skilled workers—men and women who put in the hard labor that made our roads, bridges, buildings, and industries possible. Blue-collar tradespeople are the backbone of our economic system, vital to every sector from manufacturing to infrastructure.

But for too long, our nation has pushed college as the only path to success, leaving the trades underappreciated and underrepresented. Now, as industry returns to America, we face a crisis—a shortage of skilled workers. The U.S. needs 330,000 more welders by 2028 to keep up with demand, and companies are paying top dollar to get them.

At Western Welding Academy, we’re here to change that. We forge elite welders through real-world, hands-on training—no fluff, no shortcuts. 85% of your time is spent in the booth, learning from industry veterans who have been in the trenches. Our training is built for all skill levels, from beginners to experienced welders looking to master welding.

And we get results:

94% hired within 90 days, according to our November 2024 alumni survey.

We are committed to filling this gap, one welder at a time, because we believe that the future of our country depends on the hands of those willing to build it.

So, are you ready to build something real? To take control of your future?

Spots are limited. Apply now and secure your place.

See you in the booth.

Tyler Sasse, Founder & CEO, Western Welding Academy

At a glance

Choose your path.
Forge your future.

AWS Accredited Test Facility
94% hired within 90 days (November 2024 alumni survey)
2,000+ graduates, students from all 50 states
330 years of combined instructor experience
85% of class time is spent in the booth
Programs from 12 to 24 weeks, priced from $17,050 to $35,800 with tuition, tools and gear, and housing included