Summary

  • Fabricator Podcast hosts Marc Levin on the Welder Underground model.
  • Six-month, paid, project-based apprenticeship aiming at AWS certs.
  • Episode recorded at FABTECH 2025; notes mention ESAB support.

Welder Underground, New York City, runs a six-month “earn while you learn” apprenticeship built around real fabrication of public art. The program blends manual skills, soft skills, and shop habits with a path toward AWS certification—designed for young adults who want a paid entry into welding.

Welder Underground
If you’re ready to launch your welding career, the Welder Underground apprenticeship program offers a unique and accelerated path.

In The Fabricator Podcast, co-founder Marc Levin outlines why hands-on, creative builds help new welders stick with the trade. Episode notes say the nonprofit launched in 2024 and is supported by ESAB, and they point to large-scale projects like the Rappin’ Max Robot as training grounds. The conversation was recorded at FABTECH 2025 in Chicago.

What stands out here is the focus on employability, not just badges: paid shop time, team builds, and a tight timeline that gets learners job-ready without heavy debt. For shops, that means candidates who already understand pace, safety, and fit-up on real parts—not only test coupons.

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