If you’re a welder with years of experience or if you’re a “noob” who just graduated from trade school, the good news is that you can easily find great welding jobs that pay excellent starting salaries. However, there is one catch if you want the best work and the most exciting opportunities…
Welders must be willing to relocate to the locations with the best welding jobs if they want to take leaps forward in their careers. There are great opportunities along the coasts and straight up the Midwest from Texas to the Dakotas. We took a look at this week’s welding news to track down some of the latest welding job opportunities at companies looking to hire more welders.
Welding Jobs in Iowa
Iowa has invested $500,000 in a career-training program. Skilled manufacturing jobs, including welding, are expected to be in high demand within five years, and politicians in Iowa are trying to be on the cutting edge of this trend. According to one report: “By 2018, Iowa’s advanced manufacturing sector expects a shortage of 6,672 skilled workers.”
At the heart of this campaign is a commitment to both training and awareness about the great opportunities in manufacturing. Americans are being lured away from uncertain desk jobs in order to find manufacturing work that is far more interesting and secure as more companies locate their production facilities in America rather than overseas.
Iowa is banking on this influx of manufacturing jobs to keep the state’s economy growing for years to come, which is a good sign for welders looking for secure positions in a growing field.
Welding Jobs in Texas
Bad Welds Put Future of Keystone XL Pipeline in Jeopardy: If you’re counting on finding a job connected to the Keystone XL Pipeline, think again. Although the project was lauded as the safest pipeline project to date, a series of bad welds have caused decision-makers to reconsider the practicality of this project.
In addition, national security experts have questioned whether this major oil pipeline could become a major target for terrorists.
All of these factors combine to cast a shadow of doubts on the future of the pipeline and its promise of new jobs. Welders may be advised to seek work at other companies until the future the pipeline is settled.
Overall, Texas has plenty of welding opportunities thanks to the natural gas and oil booms, but follow the news carefully before taking a gamble down there!
Welding Jobs in Oregon
Harris Thermal Transfer Products is adding 30 new welding jobs at its latest fabrication plant in Bonner, Oregon. The new plant is currently under construction and will create products for both American and Canadian markets.
The region’s manufacturing sector has long been neglected, so the new plant offers hope of a new future with higher paying jobs for welders and other skilled trade workers.
Welding Jobs in Oklahoma
Technical colleges and training centers are adding extra classes as a statewide need for welders has caused a minor crisis among manufacturing companies. Some companies are simply unable to expand because they don’t have enough workers to fill the demand they have for new orders.
As students graduate from their classes, employers promise that they’re more than willing to begin interviewing them for available positions.
Welding Jobs in Ohio
High-paying welding jobs have been reported in eastern Ohio where natural gas drilling has led to an explosion of job opportunities. However, the strong job market in Columbus continues to provide a positive outlook for residents looking for a welding job in one of the many manufacturing firms located throughout the city.
The Columbus Telegram reports that this growth is expected to continue as “Republican gubernatorial candidate Pete Ricketts stopped in Columbus on Monday to meet with local business leaders and discuss his plan to grow the state’s manufacturing sector.”
Welding Jobs in South Carolina
Welding engineers looking for a steady job in the energy sector should take note of the Greenville, SC expansion of GE. Roughly 80 engineering jobs are expected to be added to the new plant expansion.
Welding Jobs in Alaska
Oil pipelines throughout Alaska, Canada, and the U.S. are leading to significant job growth for pipeline welders. The Fairbanks Pipeline Training Center was created to specifically train welders for the many job opportunities they can find while working along pipelines.
Welders can also take their job skills and enter into other trades, such as plumbing and pipefitting. However, in light of the recent job explosion throughout the Dakotas, a little bit of pipeline welding training could go a long way to preparing a welder for a new career filled with opportunities.
Prepare for Your Welding Job
Welders need gloves, helmets, and flame resistant clothing. You can find the best deals on them all at Baker’s Gas and Welding with free shipping included.
