Back in the 70s’ when I was in high school, our school system offered tech classes at the local Tech Center (3 hours a day). I spent the first two years in the welding classes and the third year in the auto body & paint class. The welding classes were a pre requisite to the A & B courses. As you were able to pass certification in arc and gas welding, you would be able to move into the Mig and Tig courses. (had a friend that stayed with the welding courses and eventually went to work in the air craft industry) It usually took two years to get certified in arc and gas. My interests were in painting cars so that is where I headed. In A & B they taught us how to braze body panels for repairs. In those days they used asbestos putty to prevent warping the body panels. I paid for an additional year in the A & B class.
Thirty years later I asked my neighbor to help me build a drop gate for my utility trailer. After watching him weld with his Mig machine. I kept a eye out on C.L. for a mig set-up. Picked one up and the rest is history.
I would love to pick up a Tig capable machine and learn the art of Tig!!!