About Heartland Welding Academy

A Private Welding School Serving the Wichita Area

Heartland Welding Academy is an accredited private welding school located in Andover, KS. Our welding trade school was founded by professional welders who have worked in the power, petrochemical and manufacturing industries. We know what it takes to build a successful welding career and we want to share that knowledge with our students. When you train with us, you’ll learn more than how to weld – you’ll gain the skills to become a craftsman.

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Our training takes place in a job-like environment, so you’ll know what to expect when you start working as a welder. And although our welding certification programs focus on pipe welding, you’ll also learn the professional development skills you’ll need to advance your career after graduation.

Student Welding Project
Heartland Welding Academy Weld Stations Pano

Unlike other vocational or tech schools, our training is 90% hands-on. In fact, you’ll strike an arc on the first day of classes. We also qualify all of our welders. What does this mean for you? When you graduate from Heartland Welding Academy, you’ll have the skills to get a rewarding welding job and the certification to back it up.

Financial Aid

Mission

The mission of Heartland Welding Academy is to meet the needs of the industrial welding space by going beyond teaching the fundamentals of the trade. HWA’s education strategy is a two-part system. First, to instill welding fundamentals and the work ethic expected within various industries. Second, to emphasize professional development as a craftsman and beyond the welding hood.

Core Values

It is our RESPONSIBILITY to offer quality education to our students & to provide skilled workers to the industry.

It is our COMMITMENT to act as a life-long mentor.

To uphold INTEGRITY through an honest, unified, & moral education process.

To place a high value on SAFETY while students are within our walls.

Vision

To be a nationally recognized educator in the welding industry, based on the caliber of skill & work ethic demonstrated by our graduates.

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  • Enjoyed all 6 months here. I had Brandon in night classes and it was amazing. Excellent teachers, Chuck is the man to all ur questions involved with welding. Best welding school in the USA!

    — Blake S.

History

HWA was founded in 2018 on a passion to instruct, inform, and guide students through a trade that has significant growth opportunity. Our diverse experience as craftsman, project management, as well as industrial business development roles, created a desire to educate the next generation. We take an approach to weld training that is beneficial to both the students and the industry by beginning with the end goals of a career in mind.

Welding Instructor

History of our company

  • 2014 sketched out HWA concept
  • 2016 developed business plan
  • 2017 drafted first curriculum and sought out state approvals
  • 2018 Opened our doors to the first 4 students
  • 2019 Began 2 year accreditation process
  • 2020 Approved to accept VA Education Benefits
  • 2021 National Accreditation by the Commission of the Council on Occupational Education
  • 2022 Title IV approved  by Department of Education
  • 2023 Transitioned into new 30,000 sqft learning center

Instructors & Staff

Chuck Friedrichs

Charles “Chuck” Friedrichs
Owner/Managing Director/CWI

Jessica Friedrichs

Jessica Friedrichs
Financial Aid Director

Brandon Simoneau

Brandon Simoneau
Lead Welding Instructor

Cody Parks

Cody Parks
Welding Instructor

Heartland Welding Student

Take the Next Step – Courses Start Every Month!

  • 90% hands-on training
  • Day and evening classes
  • Financial Aid available (for those who qualify)
  • 14:1 student-to-instructor ratio
  • Learn in a work-like environment
  • Courses start every month
  • Graduate in as little as 12 weeks!

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Our Location

Heartland Welding Academy is located in Andover, Kansas. Our facility is 30,000 sq. ft. of office space, classroom, welding lab, grinding spaces, repair area, and student lounge.

656 N Andover Rd
Andover, KS 67002
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Licenses

Heartland Welding Academy is approved by the Kansas Board of Regents to provide postsecondary education in the state of Kansas (certificate #300582)

Kansas Board of Regents
1000 SW Jackson St., Suite 520
Topeka, KS  66612
785-430-4240

Accreditation

Heartland Welding Academy is accredited by the Commission of the Council on Occupational Education.  (ID # 358800)

Council on Occupational Education
7840 Roswell Road
Building 300, Suite 325
Atlanta, GA 30350

The COE Chief Administrator is Jessica Friedrichs
316-776-5246
jessica@heartlandwelding.com

US Department of Education

Students attending Heartland Welding Academy are eligible to participate in Federal Student Financial Assistance Programs under Title IV regulations.

Heartland Welding Academy’s Office of Post-Secondary Education Identification Number
(OPEID)  04304500

Memberships
Wichita Manufacturers Association
American Welding Society Ks Section