Meet Our Trainers
Joshua Esposito
Lead Trainer, 100X Weld Training
Certified Welder • Certified Teacher • 28 Years of Welding Industry Experience
Joshua Esposito is a seasoned welding professional and educator who has spent nearly three decades perfecting his craft and mentoring others to do the same. As Lead Trainer for 100X Weld Training, Josh combines technical mastery with real-world teaching expertise to prepare students for the demands of today’s welding industry.
"Welding is more than a trade — it’s a skill that can open doors and change lives. My mission is to help every student leave our shop with the confidence, competence, and work ethic to thrive in this industry.” – Joshua Esposito
AWS Certification
Meet Chris Utman – AWS Certified Welding Inspector
Elevate Your Welding Career with AWS Certification
At 100X Weld Training, we prepare welders not only with hands-on training but also with the credentials that open doors across the industry. That’s why we partner with Chris Utman, an AWS Certified Welding Inspector (CWI) and owner of Weld Test Services LLC, to provide official AWS certification testing right here at our facility.
Meet Chris Utman – AWS Certified Welding Inspector
Chris brings unmatched experience to every certification test:
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27 years in the welding industry as a supervisor, educator, and inspector.
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12 years as a Welding Instructor at the College of Central Florida, where he trained and mentored the next generation of welders.
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12 years operating Weld Test Services LLC, a company dedicated to ensuring welders meet the highest AWS standards.
Chris’s career combines real-world industry knowledge with years of teaching and inspection expertise. His goal: to help welders prove their skills and earn the credentials that employers trust.
An AWS (American Welding Society) Certification is one of the most recognized credentials in the welding profession.
For welders, it means:
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Industry recognition – proof your skills meet national standards.
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More job opportunities – many contractors and companies require AWS credentials.
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Higher earning potential – certified welders often command better pay.
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Career advancement – move into higher-level positions with confidence.
Your Path to Certification at 100X Weld Training
Getting certified through 100X Weld Training is a clear and supported process:
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Hands-On Training – Build skills in SMAW, GMAW, FCAW, GTAW and more through our structured training programs.
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Skill Development – Practice under supervision until you’re ready for testing.
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AWS Certification Test – Chris Upman, CWI, will conduct your official AWS weld test.
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Credential Awarded – Pass your inspection and join the ranks of AWS-certified welders.
What to Expect from the Test
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Types of Certification: Plate and pipe welding, depending on your chosen process.
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Testing Process: Weld test → professional inspection → bend test/x-ray analysis (if required) → results.
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Location: All certification testing is conducted at the 100X Weld Training facility.
Start Your Certification Journey
Whether you’re just beginning your training or ready to take the next step in your career, 100X Weld Training will guide you from learning the craft to earning professional recognition.
Ready to get AWS certified?
Why AWS Certification Matters:
Josh can be reached at
A Career Forged in Steel
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28 years in the welding industry across structural, fabrication, and specialized welding projects.
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12 years teaching at Marion Technical College and 4 years at the College of Central Florida, training everyone from beginners to advanced welders seeking certification.
Credentials That Count
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Certified Welder in SMAW, GMAW, GTAW, and FCAW — including advanced pipe welding in all positions.
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Certified Teacher with proven success in breaking down complex welding processes into easy-to-understand, hands-on lessons.
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Deep knowledge of both shop-based fabrication and on-site structural steel work, giving students training that mirrors real job environments.
Ready to start your welding journey?
Learn from a trainer who’s built his career — and helped hundreds of others build theirs — one weld at a time.
