Well... The good news is I researched the ESAB website and found a training program and its no cost. I just registered. The bad news is its only a three day course and its not until April. :(

I will see what I can find in the meantime. Here is an overview of what to expect and everyone chime in with opinions please. It sounds good and I heard from others that took the course they really liked it. I'm just happy that it involves hands on. That's best for me. Hope its not too much for everyone to read....

Training - Product and Process  Course Overview
To understand equipment and filler metal performance, this training program incorporates classroom theory (equipment and filler metal characteristics, features and benefits) and practical hands-on use.

The classroom instruction includes a thorough examination of the theory relating to the arc welding processes. Additionally, the course includes an in-depth overview of both welding equipment, plasma arc cutting equipment, gas cutting apparatus as well as a lengthy evaluation of filler metals, solid wires, cored wires and covered electrodes for both ferrous and nonferrous alloys.

The hands-on portion of the program provides an opportunity to use the equipment and filler alloys. Both GMAW (MIG) equipment and GTAW (TIG) equipment is available for welding with a variety of filler materials. A wide range of plasma arc cutting equipment is also available to perform both cutting and gouging on various types and thicknesses of material. Gas apparatus is used to demonstrate equipment set up and safe working practices.

Who Should Attend
This program is designed to train Technical Sales Representatives, Welding Engineers, Welding Supervisors, Welding Instructors, Welding Inspectors and Welders. Anyone seeking to understand the performance characteristics associated with the quality and productivity of ESAB's wide range of welding and cutting equipment and filler materials will benefit from this course.

Program Topics

Basic Welding Metallurgy
What is Steel?
Alloying Elements
Mechanical Properties
Weld Cracking
Destructive Testing
Brittle Fracture
Fatigue Failure

GMAW (MIG) Welding Process
Process Advantages
Feedability
Shielding Gases
Metal Transfer Modes

GMAW (MIG) Welding Wires
AWS Classification System
Mild Steel
Low Alloy

GTAW (TIG)
Features and Benefits
Welding Equipment

Stainless Steel
Why is it Called Stainless?
How is it Different than Regular Steel?
Austenitic, Ferretic, Martensitic and Duplex Stainless Steels
AWS Classification System

Mild Steel and Low Alloy Covered Electrodes
The SMAW Process (Stick Electrode)
AWS Classification System
Electrode Coatings - Iron Powder, Cellulose, Rutile and Low Hydrogen

Plasma Equipment
Cutting Capabilities
Gouging Capabilities
Cutting Torch Characteristics and Components
Optional Accessories

The Flux Cored and Metal Cored Welding Process and Filler Metals
Process Advantages
AWS Classification System
Gas Shielded and Self Shielded Wires
Shielding Gases

Aluminum Welding and Filler Metals
Applications - The Aluminum Alloy System
Basic Aluminum Metallurgy
Heat Treatable and Non Heat Treatable Alloys
The Heat Affected Zone (HAZ)
Filler Metal Selection
Friction Stir Welding

Maintenance and Repair Products
What are Maintenance and Repair Alloys?
How to Use All-State Literature and Wall Charts
Manual M&R Stick Electrodes, Brazing Alloys and Soldering Products
Hard Surfacing, Cast Iron, Nickel, Copper and Metal Removal Electrodes

Submerged Arc Welding
Product Range
Overview of Process

Gas Apparatus
OXWELD, PUROX, and PREST-O-LITE
How to Select a Regulator
Regulator - Flowmeter Combinations
Regulator Safety
Cutting and Welding Torches
Steel Industry Products

Dont worry... I copy-n-pasted the above info. No way did I want to type all that... lol :)

Regards,
Jeremy