Quick Facts

• Location: Rapid City, South Dakota
• Address: 420 Creek Dr, Bldg B, Rapid City, SD 57703
• School Type: Private Specialized Welding School
• Programs Offered: Structural Welding, MIG/GMAW, Stick/SMAW, introductory TIG/GTAW and Flux-Core/FCAW
• Training Style: Approximately 90% hands-on shop training with individualized instruction
• Tuition Range: Contact school for current tuition
• Program Length: 6 weeks full-time or 12 weeks part-time; 240 training hours
• Online Programs Available: No
• Hybrid Learning: No
• Financial Aid: No FAFSA/federal student aid; VA/GI Bill benefits, WIOA funding and private financing may be available
• Class Options: Full-time and part-time; customized year-round start dates
• Certification Opportunities: Up to 8 AWS D1.1-based welding certifications/qualifications advertised
• Average Rating: ⭐ 5.0 (8 Reviews)
• Website: Official Great Plains Welding Academy website

Overview

Great Plains Welding Academy is a specialized Rapid City welding school built around an accelerated alternative to traditional one- or two-year welding programs. Rather than requiring general-education courses, GPWA concentrates almost entirely on welding, safety, blueprint interpretation and workplace preparation. The school describes its curriculum as roughly 90% shop time.

The current program is a 240-hour course that can be completed in six weeks full-time or 12 weeks part-time. Full-time students attend from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.; part-time students can choose morning or afternoon sessions. The school operates year-round and uses flexible start dates based on available welding booths rather than a traditional semester calendar.

Programs Offered

The core curriculum focuses heavily on:

• GMAW / MIG
• SMAW / Stick
• AWS D1.1 structural-steel applications
• Welding safety
• Blueprint interpretation
• Shop practices
• Introductory GTAW / TIG after core certification work
• Introductory Flux-Core welding

GPWA says students work primarily toward AWS D1.1 Structural Steel qualifications using MIG and Stick processes, with exposure to TIG and Flux-Core after completing the primary certification plates.

Certification Opportunities

A major selling point is certification preparation. GPWA advertises the opportunity to leave with eight industry-standard certifications based on AWS D1.1 Structural Steel requirements in MIG and Stick processes.

Students should still verify which certifications/qualification tests are included in their specific enrollment agreement and what renewal or employer-specific testing may later be required.

Tuition & Financial Aid

The school does not clearly publish a current dollar tuition amount on the official pages reviewed, so I would list:

Tuition: Contact Great Plains Welding Academy for current program pricing.

GPWA says certification costs are included in tuition, while students should expect to spend approximately $250 or less on personal tools and gear.

This is a private academy and does not participate in federal FAFSA financial aid. However, current funding options include:

• VA education benefits / GI Bill
• WIOA/Department of Labor funding for qualifying students
• Climb Credit financing
• Personal payment
• 529 education savings funds

Why Students Choose This School

• Welding-only curriculum
• Six-week full-time option
• 12-week part-time option
• Approximately 90% shop training
• No general-education requirements
• Small student-to-instructor environment
• AWS D1.1-focused training
• Up to eight advertised welding qualifications
• Flexible year-round starts
• VA and WIOA funding options

Career Opportunities

Graduates may pursue entry-level positions such as:

• Structural Welder
• MIG Welder
• Stick Welder
• Fabrication Welder
• Production Welder
• Construction Welder
• Manufacturing Welder

Employers may require additional welding tests for specific processes, materials or positions.

Student Reviews

Based on your supplied Google data:

⭐ Average Rating: 5.0 (8 Reviews)

The rating is excellent, although the review count is still relatively small.

Enrollment Tips

GPWA does not require a high-school diploma or GED. The school recommends students be at least 16, with parental consent for high-school-age students.

Students should also compare GPWA directly with Western Dakota Technical College. The choice is quite different: GPWA is an accelerated welding-only school, while WDTC provides a broader college experience and longer diploma/AAS options.

Bottom Line

Great Plains Welding Academy is an excellent specialized addition to the South Dakota directory. Its biggest advantage is speed: a student can complete the 240-hour program in six weeks full-time rather than spending one or two years in college. With approximately 90% shop time and AWS D1.1-focused training, it is particularly attractive to students who know they want welding and don’t need a college degree.