--- title: "About Western Welding Academy | Pipe Welding School" url: "https://www.westernweldingacademy.com/about-us" --- ![](/_astro/students-walking.BpwmlGS2_Z2asWLP.jpg) 1. [Home](/) 2. /about us Our mission # About us Building the next generation of welders in Gillette, Wyoming. [Apply now](/apply) [Our story](#story) 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](/_astro/instructor-team-bw.DRsC3W1j_Z1YmDTh.jpg) The crewWWA instructors ## The results back it up - 2,000+ graduates - 94%\* hired within 90 days - 85% of class time in the booth - 50 students from all 50 states \* Hired within 90 days: survey of 234 alumni, Nov 2024. Check out our story ## Who we are [![](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/joVkmiwW2Xo/maxresdefault.jpg)Our storyWHO ARE WE?](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=joVkmiwW2Xo) [![](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/xOiLbF-ABhQ/maxresdefault.jpg)For parentsFrequently Asked Questions by Parents](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xOiLbF-ABhQ) [Meet the teamWho we areInstructors and founder](/who-we-are) ![Tyler Sasse, founder of Western Welding Academy](/_astro/tyler-sasse.C6I0SLIv_s6raV.jpg) 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 ![](/_astro/student-grinding-pipe-sparks.WueaC1Bp_Z1edkAt.jpg) 12 weeks 01 ### [Foundational Pipe Welder](/courses/foundational-pipe-welder) Start from zero. Build the fundamentals. All-inclusive price $17,050 Includes tuition, tools and gear, housing. View program ![](/_astro/welder-booth-arc-portrait.Cnb0CMLZ_Z6TOFS.jpg) 19 weeks 02 ### [Professional Pipe Welder](/courses/professional-pipe-welder) Go deeper on pipe. Build real hood time. All-inclusive price $27,600 Includes tuition, tools and gear, housing. View program ![](/_astro/welder-pipe-closeup.DMwq_M9I_Zqi7M6.jpg) 24 weeks 03 ### [Expert Pipe Welder](/courses/expert-pipe-welder) Every process, every position. The full path. All-inclusive price $35,800 Includes tuition, tools and gear, housing. View program ![](/_astro/welder-sparks-dark.B080xSG4_ZFNNLi.jpg) 12 weeks 04 ### [Advanced Structural Welding](/courses/advanced-structural-welding) Structural steel for the building trades. All-inclusive price $25,800 Includes tuition, tools and gear, housing. View program The crew ## Meet your instructors [Who we are](/who-we-are) - [ ![Chris Fink, Western Welding Academy instructor](/_astro/chris-fink.7OkS6FiA_ZgTxy.jpg) Chris Fink Instructor → ](/instructors/chris-fink) - [ ![David Zajac, Western Welding Academy instructor](/_astro/david-zajac.CNHC3Vr8_2togq4.jpg) David Zajac Instructor → ](/instructors/david-zajac) - [ ![Glenn Ogden, Western Welding Academy instructor](/_astro/glenn-ogden.DAI9l-4D_ZSE73k.jpg) Glenn Ogden Instructor → ](/instructors/glenn-ogden) - [ ![James Packard, Western Welding Academy instructor](/_astro/james-packard.CP2pbMeq_H23C5.jpg) James Packard Instructor → ](/instructors/james-packard) - [ ![Joe Stockdale, Western Welding Academy instructor](/_astro/joe-stockdale.B7vK3OqV_Z179ySN.jpg) Joe Stockdale Instructor → ](/instructors/joe-stockdale) - [ ![John Parks, Western Welding Academy instructor](/_astro/john-parks.De8g8mLc_Z2e3VCl.jpg) John Parks Instructor → ](/instructors/john-parks) - [ ![Lance Whisenant, Western Welding Academy instructor](/_astro/lance-whisenant.9OJfKHRC_1Uy6nN.jpg) Lance Whisenant Instructor → ](/instructors/lance-whisenant) - [ ![Matt Hahn, Western Welding Academy instructor](/_astro/matt-hahn.BKIa_G_t_ZH4bRB.jpg) Matt Hahn Instructor → ](/instructors/matthew-hahn) - [ ![Nate Farnsworth, Western Welding Academy instructor](/_astro/nate-farnsworth.BinIlJE-_Z7Neb8.jpg) Nate Farnsworth Instructor → ](/instructors/nate-farnsworth) We grow together ## The campus [Full gallery](/gallery) - ![Row of blue welding booths at Western Welding Academy](/_astro/booth-row-blue.Duch9v_-_ZDq9As.jpg) Row of blue welding booths01/07 - ![Student welding inside the pipeline simulator](/_astro/pipe-simulator.B6gHFwrN_Z1gPV8P.jpg) Student welding inside the pipeline simulator02/07 - ![The Western Welding Academy shop floor](/_astro/shop-floor.wgnyxicW_2BbBV.jpg) The Western Welding Academy shop floor03/07 - ![Inside a welding booth at Western Welding Academy](/_astro/booth-interior.Dsb3MRdE_ZpdhpK.jpg) Inside a welding booth04/07 - ![Welding machines on carts in the WWA shop](/_astro/welding-machines.CEeM5zrN_ZKd57D.jpg) Welding machines on carts in the WWA shop05/07 - ![Western Welding Academy classroom](/_astro/classroom.DRhCgMZU_2h76CB.jpg) Western Welding Academy classroom06/07 - ![Aerial view of the Western Welding Academy campus in Gillette, Wyoming](/_astro/campus-aerial.ByWLOZFX_19C9LG.jpg) Aerial view07/07 ## Ready to build something real? Spots are limited. Apply now and secure your place. [Apply now](/apply) [Schedule a tour](/schedule-a-tour)[(307) 284-5313](tel:+1-307-284-5313)