Prime Welding Academy (PWA) was founded in 2023 by Rafael C. Silva, an experienced combination welder, fabricator, and Certified Welding Inspector with a passion for sharing his knowledge and helping others build rewarding careers in the welding industry.
With more than 24 years of hands-on experience, Rafael brings a wealth of technical knowledge and real-world industry experience to every program offered at PWA. His goal is to provide students with more than just classroom instruction—to give them the practical skills, guidance, and confidence they need to succeed in the field.
At Prime Welding Academy, we believe that quality training starts with hands-on experience. Drawing from decades of experience in the welding and fabrication industries, our courses and seminars are thoughtfully designed around the skills, knowledge, and qualifications employers are looking for in today’s workforce. Students have the opportunity to learn through a combination of technical instruction and hands-on training in an environment that reflects real-world working conditions.
Our mission is simple: to help individuals build the skills, confidence, experience, and qualifications needed to pursue a successful career in welding and fabrication.
Whether you are taking your first steps into the welding industry, looking to strengthen your existing skills, or ready to pursue specialized training, Prime Welding Academy is here to support you along the way. Our training is grounded in current industry standards, proven practices, and real-world applications, giving students the foundation they need to approach their careers with confidence.
Your journey starts here. At PWA, we are committed to creating a welcoming, hands-on learning environment where students can learn, grow, and prepare for the opportunities ahead. We look forward to helping you turn your potential into a skilled and rewarding career in the welding industry.
At Prime Welding Academy, we believe the best way to prepare for a career in welding is to experience what the industry is really like. That is why PWA offers students something beyond a traditional classroom or training environment.
Our students benefit from being part of a team with connections to both the workforce and the fabrication industry. Through our sister companies, Prime Staffing & Recruiting, Inc. and Prime Fabricators, LLC, students gain valuable insight into what it takes to succeed beyond the classroom and in the field.
Through Prime Staffing & Recruiting, Inc., Rafael has been actively involved in workforce staffing and recruitment since 2020. This experience has provided firsthand insight into the needs of employers and the skills, qualifications, and experience they are looking for when hiring skilled professionals.
Prime Staffing & Recruiting works with industries including oil and gas, pressure piping, pressure vessels, heavy metal fabrication, hydraulic fracturing (fracking), data centers, and cryogenic applications.
These industry connections allow PWA to keep our training focused on the realities of today’s workforce. Our goal is not simply to teach students how to pass a test or complete a weld—we want to help them understand what employers expect and give them the preparation and confidence to pursue opportunities in the field.
Another unique advantage of Prime Welding Academy is having Prime Fabricators, LLC, an ASME-certified fabrication shop, operating under the same roof.
Prime Fabricators performs real fabrication projects for real clients, giving students the opportunity to experience an active industrial fabrication environment. Being around real projects allows students to see how the skills they develop in training—welding, fitting, fabrication, quality, and inspection—come together in the real world.
There is something different about learning a skill and seeing that skill put to work on an actual project. At PWA, we strive to give our students that experience.
By bringing together hands-on training, real fabrication, inspection experience, and workforce connections, Prime Welding Academy creates an environment designed to help students take the next step toward a successful career.
Whether you are just beginning your journey or looking to take your existing skills to the next level, PWA is here to help you build a strong foundation, gain valuable experience, and become better prepared for the opportunities ahead.
At Prime Welding Academy, we don’t just teach welding. We help prepare people for the world of work.
