Elite Welding Academy

2026 Building Futures Finalist

Every gem has something that makes it shine. What would you say is your greatest strength or “sparkle,” and how does it show up in your/your organizations work?

Our greatest strength is our passion for developing people and creating opportunities. At Elite Welding Academy, we believe that welding is more than just a skill; it's a career that can change someone's life. Our sparkle comes from our hands-on approach to education, our commitment to quality training, and the genuine pride we take in watching students grow from beginners into skilled tradespeople. Seeing our graduates build successful careers and contribute to projects across the country is what makes everything we do worthwhile.

A Bit About Elite Welding Academy

Elite Welding Academy (EWA) is a professional welding school dedicated to preparing students for careers in the skilled trades through hands-on, industry-focused training.

Founded in 2006 by United Group Services (UGS), EWA was established to help address the growing demand for qualified pipe welders in the industrial construction industry. Since then, the academy has developed a reputation for providing intensive welding education designed around the skills, techniques, safety practices, and industry standards students will encounter in the field.

EWA's 1,000-hour welding program combines classroom instruction with extensive hands-on booth training, allowing students to develop practical welding skills across multiple processes and positions. Training is designed for individuals entering the welding profession as well as those looking to strengthen their existing skills and pursue opportunities in industrial and mechanical construction.

In addition to welding instruction, EWA provides students with exposure to industry expectations, welding inspection, safety, blueprint and welding-code fundamentals, and the professional standards required on industrial jobsites. The academy is an AWS-accredited testing facility and is authorized to participate in programs supporting eligible students, including VA and WIOA funding.

With roots in the industrial construction industry and a direct connection to UGS, EWA was built around a simple objective: prepare students with the practical skills and work ethic needed to succeed in a demanding skilled-trades career.

Learn A Bit More

What does being part of the Mason-Deerfield business community mean to you?

Share 2–3 fun facts about you/your organization that people in the MADE community might not know.

If your company culture, or personal persona, had to be summed up in five words or less, reflective of a
gemstone, what would they be?

Its' always refreshing to see kids excited about a
future in the trades!

From the Classroom to SpaceX! EWA graduates have gone on to work on some pretty incredible projects, including opportunities with companies like SpaceX. Not bad for a career that started in a welding booth in Cincinnati!
90% Hands-On Training. Forget sitting behind a desk all day! EWA's welding program was designed around approximately 90% hands-on training, giving students hundreds of hours under the hood perfecting their craft.
Built by Welders, for Welders! EWA was created to prepare welders for real-world industrial careers, with training focused on the skills and techniques used on actual jobsites.