TWS was founded in 1949 by two pipeline welders who recognized the strong demand for pipeline welders. Over more than 50 years, TWS has evolved into an educational institution that prepares students for welding and inspection careers in a multitude of welding specialties and applications. TWS is accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges of Technology. The new TWS branch campus in Jacksonville, Florida opened November 2001 to provide welder training. Programs in welding match those in Tulsa, Oklahoma. TWS in Tulsa started its Associate degree program in welding technology effective February 1998. This two academic year program contains the Master Welder program for the first-seven months with the next seven months devoted to course material for a Welding QA/QC Inspector. Nondestructive testing techniques are the primary focus of the inspector program. The mission of TWS is to produce "World Class Welders and Welding Inspectors." TWS trains its graduates for the skills, knowledge, and the workplace attitudes essential to enter the profession of welding or inspection. Graduates who put forth the dedication, commitment to excel, and workplace experience in their welding or inspection profession can achieve world class levels of performance.