About Us
Welcome! We're so glad you're here. Take some time to learn about our academy and meet our team.
Welcome to GPWA!
Welcome to Great Plains Welding Academy!
It's so nice to meet you! We are Tommy and Brianna Myers, the owners and visionaries behind Great Plains Welding Academy.
We are thrilled to bring you a top-notch academy nestled in the heart of the Black Hills.
Our story is one of passion and purpose, rooted in a desire to inspire others to do big things.
Tommy's journey starts back to his traditional school days. He wasn't a fan of traditional school—he even repeated his senior year twice in order to graduate. Later, he began to pursue welding and went to a two year school. Again, he found all the extra classes and general education courses frustrating and disliked that they were required to graduate with a welding degree.
Tommy went on to become a Certified Welding Inspector and Educator through the American Welding Society by the age of 29.
He's worked in various welding industries and would often come home believing that there had to be a better way to bring more skilled welders for the trade.
That's when Great Plains Welding Academy was born.
We're not here to line our pockets; we're here to bring more passion and excellence to the welding trade, just like Tommy's.
Together, we are on a mission to create a community where aspiring welders can thrive, learn, and ultimately, make their mark in the welding field.
Your welding education and success are our utmost priorities. Get to know us and discover the difference at Great Plains Welding Academy.
We look forward to connecting with you!
Welcome to GPWA!
Welcome to Great Plains Welding Academy!
It's so nice to meet you! We are Tommy and Brianna Myers, the owners and visionaries behind Great Plains Welding Academy.
We are thrilled to bring you a top-notch academy nestled in the heart of the Black Hills.
Our story is one of passion and purpose, rooted in a desire to inspire others to do big things.
Tommy's journey starts back to his traditional school days. He wasn't a fan of traditional school—he even repeated his senior year twice in order to graduate. Later, he began to pursue welding and went to a two year school. Again, he found all the extra classes and general education courses frustrating and disliked that they were required to graduate with a welding degree.
Tommy went on to become a Certified Welding Inspector and Educator through the American Welding Society by the age of 29.
He's worked in various welding industries and would often come home believing that there had to be a better way to bring more skilled welders for the trade.
That's when Great Plains Welding Academy was born.
We're not here to line our pockets; we're here to bring more passion and excellence to the welding trade, just like Tommy's.
Together, we are on a mission to create a community where aspiring welders can thrive, learn, and ultimately, make their mark in the welding field.
Your welding education and success are our utmost priorities. Get to know us and discover the difference at Great Plains Welding Academy.
We look forward to connecting with you!
Meet the Team!
Tommy Myers
President
CWI/CWE
Meet Tommy Myers, the driving force behind Great Plains Welding Academy. With over 17 years of welding experience, Tommy's journey is as inspiring as it gets. He took a non-traditional path, repeating his senior year twice and working as a landscaper for a few years before discovering his passion for welding. In pursuit of his passion, Tommy attended a 2-year welding degree, where he quickly realized that traditional education wasn't his style— he couldn't stand irrelevant courses that don't have anything to do with the welding field.
At just 29 years old, Tommy achieved his goal of becoming a Certified Welding Inspector and Educator through the American Welding Society. His story is a testament to the fact that success isn't measured in the classroom. Tommy's mission is clear: to empower others who learn the welding industry, even if its different from others, and show them that they can excel in their craft.
Driven by his desire to educate passionate welders, Tommy founded Great Plains Welding Academy. He envisioned a better way—a focused, accelerated program that skips the unnecessary hurdles of traditional schooling. Tommy's passion is infectious, and he's dedicated to inspiring and training the next generation of skilled welders.
Brianna Myers
Vice President
Marketing & Business Relations
Meet Brianna, an integral part of Great Plains Welding Academy. With her laughter and high energy, Brianna is the glue that holds everything together. While she may not be your go-too for welding knowledge, her diverse background and natural ability to connect people make her a valuable part of our team.
Brianna's journey began at Black Hills State University, where she graduated with skills in Marketing and Public Relations. Her career path took her through various roles, from sales representative for a local garbage company to a commercial property manager. Along the way, she discovered her true passion for building relationships and creating meaningful connections.
When Tommy shared his vision for the academy, Brianna saw an opportunity to merge her love for marketing and people with Tommy's expertise in welding. Together, they embarked on this passion project, driven by a shared desire to create a welcoming and inspiring environment for aspiring welders.
Brianna's enthusiasm is infectious—she's always capturing moments and always has her camera in hand, ready to share fun photos and videos on our social media pages.
Every day, Brianna brings her enthusiasm and dedication to ensuring that every student feels at home at GPWA. Balancing their business with raising a family and homeschooling, Brianna and Tommy are committed to nurturing a community where students can thrive and pursue their welding dreams.
Welcome to Great Plains Welding Academy—where you're not just a student, but part of our extended family, inspiring us to grow and improve each day.
Sean Clary
Lead Welding Instructor
Meet Sean Clary, our amazing instructor at Great Plains Welding Academy. With over 15 years of diverse welding experience under his belt, Sean brings a wealth of expertise to the classroom. His background spans a wide range of welding specialties, including heavy equipment, structural fabrication, pipe fabrication and fitting, custom design and fabrication, CNC operations, and more.
Sean firmly believes that knowledge is power, and he's dedicated to empowering students with a comprehensive understanding of the welding trade. With his well-rounded background, Sean offers invaluable insights into the different avenues available within the industry and prepares students for real life experiences in the field.
Passionate about mentoring the next generation of welders, Sean is committed to sharing his wisdom and knowledge to help students embark on their welding journey. Together with the GPWA team, Sean is on a mission to not only shape skilled welders but also to contribute to the construction and growth of America through the development of highly trained professionals.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a GED or High School Diploma to attend?
Nope! You don't need a GED or diploma to attend our program. We recommend that you be at least 16 years old (with parental consent) if you plan to complete the program while still in high school.
What welding processes will I learn at the academy?
Our curriculum is based off the AWS D1.1 Structural Steel in GMAW (MIG) and SMAW (Stick) welding techniques. Once you successfully pass your D1.1 certification plates, you will then gain some knowledge in some TIG and flux core.
How long will it take me to complete the academy?
Our curriculum is based on a 240 credit hour course that can be completed on either a full-time or part-time basis. For full-time students, the program takes just 6 weeks, and classes run from 8 am to 4 pm. Part-time students can complete the course in just 12 weeks, with either a morning shift (8 am to 12 pm) or an afternoon shift (12 pm to 4 pm). This flexibility allows students to tailor their learning experience to best fit their schedule and commitments.
When do classes start?
This is a part of the customization process we talk about. We don't have set start dates; instead, we tailor our program to your schedule. If there's an available booth slot, it's yours to take. Ready to begin right away? With all paperwork submitted, you can start the following week. It's all about customizing to fit your needs and timeline. We operate year round.
Do you offer housing?
We don't offer housing at the moment. Many of our students arrange their own temporary housing, such as staying at campgrounds, temporary rental options, or Airbnb. We're exploring options for future housing solutions.
What extra costs can I expect?
Alongside the tuition cost, which covers your certifications, the only additional expense would be for your tools and gear. We provide a tool list before your start, and everything can typically be purchased for $250 or less. Our program is designed to be incredibly affordable, ensuring you can kickstart your welding journey without breaking the bank.
