Welding Programs
Basic CO2 Welding Course in Durban - Practical Training, Real Results
CO2 welding is one of those skills that employers in KwaZulu-Natal genuinely struggle to fill. Walk onto any fabrication floor, into any decent engineering workshop, and there’s a good chance they’re looking for someone who can run a clean MIG weld. Abethu Skills Training has been putting people into those jobs for over ten years — and the Basic CO2 Welding course is how we do it.
Four weeks. Hands-on training from people who’ve actually worked the trade. A certificate when you’re done. That’s the short version.
What Our Basic CO2 Welding Course Covers
CO2 welding gets called a few things — MIG welding, Gas Metal Arc Welding, GMAW. It all refers to the same process: a continuous wire feed, a shielding gas to protect the weld pool, and a technique that, once you've got it, is faster and cleaner than stick welding for most applications. It's the standard in automotive repair, structural fabrication, manufacturing, and general engineering work.
The course at Abethu runs over four weeks and covers everything from the ground up. Week one, you're learning the machine — how to set it up, what the dials actually do, how wire speed and voltage interact. You'll also spend time on safety before you strike your first arc, because working around welding equipment, gas cylinders, and UV radiation without knowing the hazards is how people get hurt.
By week two you're welding. Most students are surprised how quickly things click once you've got enough arc time behind you. The theory makes more sense when you can see the effect in front of you. You'll work through flat and horizontal positions first, then move into vertical work as your control improves.
What You'll Learn
Setting up and operating a CO2/MIG welding machine Correct wire feed, voltage, and travel speed settings. Welding in flat, horizontal, and vertical positions. Reading basic welding symbols and job cards. Identifying and fixing common weld defects. PPE requirements and OHS protocols specific to welding environments
Safety and OHS Compliance
South Africa's Occupational Health and Safety Act sets out specific requirements for welding environments, and any employer worth working for takes those seriously. We don't tack safety on at the end of the course — it runs through everything we do from day one. You'll finish the programme knowing not just how to weld, but how to weld without putting yourself or the people around you at risk. That combination is what separates a welder who gets hired from one who gets overlooked.
Your Certificate of Competence
You complete the assessment, you get the certificate. It's a formal record that you've been trained and assessed as competent in basic CO2 welding at Abethu Skills Training. For someone without formal qualifications, that document changes what's possible on the job market. A lot of our graduates say the same thing — they'd been welding informally for years, but once they had the certificate, doors opened that hadn't before.
Who Should Enrol in CO2 Welding Training?
Honestly? Anyone who wants to weld and doesn't have a formal certificate yet. The course is entry-level by design — we start from scratch and build from there. If you've never struck an arc in your life, that's fine. If you've been welding on a building site for three years without any paperwork to show for it, this course sorts that out.
It tends to attract a mix of people. School leavers looking for a trade. Guys who've been doing general labouring work and want to move into something more skilled. Workshop assistants who've been watching the welders and reckoning they could do it. All of those are the right reasons to be here.
The one thing we'd say is this — if you're not sure whether this course fits what you're trying to do, just call us. We'll give you a straight answer rather than talk you into something that isn't right for you.
Entry Requirements
To register, learners must:
- Grade 10 Certificate
- Communication at NQF Level 2
- Mathematical Literacy at NQF Level 2
- ID copy, pen & notebook, medical report
- Welding gloves, welding eye glasses
- Safety vest/reflector, safety boots, masks & ear pads
- Overalls
- Must be 18 years or older
Start your Arc Welding Training with Abethu Skills Development today.
Why Students Choose Abethu Skills for Welding Courses in KZN
More Than Ten Years Running Trades Training in Durban
Abethu Skills has been operating out of our Durban centre since 2013. In that time we've trained students across welding, heavy equipment operation, health and safety, artisan trades, and more. That history matters — not as a marketing line, but because it means we've had long enough to figure out what actually works in a practical training environment, and what employers in this part of the country are genuinely looking for.
Instructors Who Know the Trade, Not Just the Curriculum
Our welding instructors have fabrication and engineering backgrounds. When they correct your technique, they're drawing on experience from real workshop floors, not just a training manual. That difference shows up in the quality of feedback you get and in how quickly students develop usable skills rather than just passing an assessment.
Enough Time on the Machine
We keep our classes at a size where everyone gets adequate workshop time. CO2 welding is a hands-on skill — you can't develop arc control by watching someone else do it. Our setup is deliberately organised around giving students the repetition they need.
Transparent Fees
The course is R6,000. That's what it costs, and there's nothing else added on top. We state the price upfront because we think that's a basic courtesy. You shouldn't have to call three times to find out what you're actually going to pay.
What is CO2 Welding?
CO2 welding, a specific type of Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW), is a semi-automatic process that joins metals by creating an electric arc between a continuous, consumable wire electrode and the workpiece. The process uses 100% Carbon Dioxide (CO2) as a shielding gas to protect the molten weld pool from atmospheric gases like oxygen and nitrogen. Known for its deep penetration and cost-efficiency, CO2 welding is the primary “workhorse” method for fabricating carbon and low-alloy steels in automotive and heavy industrial manufacturing
Who We Train and Where Students Come From
Our training centre is in Durban — 113 Albert Street, 211 Urban View. Students come to us from across KZN: eThekwini, Pietermaritzburg, surrounding towns. If you're travelling from further out, it's worth calling us first to plan around start dates so you're not making an unnecessary trip.
We also work with companies that need to upskill staff. If you've got a group of employees who need CO2 welding training, get in touch to discuss options — including whether on-site arrangements make more sense for your situation.
CO2 Welding Course Fees and What's Included
Course fee: R6,000 one fee for the full four-week programme.
That covers:
- All training sessions (theory and practical) across the four weeks
- Workshop materials and consumables used during your training
- Your certificate of competence on successful completion
- Full use of our training facilities and equipment
There are no extra costs layered on top of that figure for standard participants.
Renewing or refreshing your certification? If you’ve previously completed CO2 welding training and need to renew or update your certification, speak to us about what options are available.
Payment: We accept EFT. A deposit is required when you confirm your place, with the balance due before the course start date. Call 031 309 4309 or email us if you’d like to discuss payment terms — we typically respond within a business day.
Why Choose Abethu Skills Development?
- 10+ years of accredited training experience
- Friendly, professional instructors
- Job assistance after completion
- Modern equipment & real-time practicals
- Flexible learning options (part-time available)
- Support in isiZulu, isiXhosa & English
Frequently Asked Questions About CO2 Welding Training
Is this course accredited?
Abethu Skills Training is an established vocational training provider with over ten years of operation in Durban. You receive a certificate of competence from us on completion. Accreditation and recognition requirements do vary depending on your employer and industry, so if you need to meet a specific standard, give us a call and we’ll give you a direct answer for your situation.
Do I need welding experience to join?
No. The course starts from the basics and works upward from there. If you’ve had some exposure to welding informally, you’ll likely move through the early stages without too much difficulty — but no prior experience is expected or required to enrol.
How long is the course, and when does the next one start?
The Basic CO2 Welding course is four weeks long. We run intakes throughout the year. WhatsApp or call +27 74 459 5134 to find out the next available date.
What does the R6,000 include?
Everything you need for the course — four weeks of training, all materials and consumables during your practical sessions, and your certificate of competence on completion. That’s the full cost for standard participants.
What PPE do I need?
We’ll go through this with you at registration. Standard welding PPE includes a welding helmet, gloves, and appropriate protective clothing. Some items are available during training — we’ll confirm at booking what you need to supply yourself.
Do you train company employees or groups?
Yes. If you need multiple staff members trained, contact us to discuss group arrangements. Depending on numbers and logistics, we can also look at on-site options.
What's the difference between CO2 welding and arc welding?
Arc welding — also called stick welding — uses a consumable electrode and no shielding gas. CO2 welding uses a continuous wire feed and relies on gas to protect the weld pool, which generally gives you cleaner results and suits production environments better. We offer both courses. Have a look at our full course list if you’re weighing up which one makes more sense for your goals.
How soon after completing the course do students find work?
That varies. The job market, how actively you’re applying, your existing contacts in the industry — all of that plays a role. What the certificate does is give you something concrete to put in front of an employer. Students who come in focussed on finding work and who are actively chasing leads while they’re still training tend to move quickly. Many secure employment within a few weeks of completing the course.
Still Have Questions?
If you didn’t find what you were looking for, we’re here to help. Whether it’s about course requirements, training schedules