Even though welding apprentice Levi Jones worked four ten-hour days at the Plumbers and Steamfitters Local Union 157, he wasn’t done yet with his week. Jones visited his former welding class at Terre Haute South Vigo High School.
While learning his trade in Gregg Dillion’s welding class, Jones quickly took to the welding trade, setting himself up for a career in the industry. Dillion recently returned to class to show students the welds he’s working on, answering questions, and giving tips that Dillion finds to be more effective for students because they come from a peer.
Welding Jobs
Indiana Career Center Prepares Students for Welding Work
“Welding is used in a variety of industries, from automotive to aerospace, and students at the New Castle Career Center are heating things up by fusing their passion for welding and the idea of a future career.
Students in the program focus on basic welding areas, like shielded metal, gas metal arc and oxy-fuel. Through a variety of different training exercises, students learn how to weld a variety of materials in four positions: flat, vertical, horizontal and overhead. They also learn how to read blueprints and how to set up welding machines and use them.”
Community College Students Fast Track for Welding Careers
“Two cohorts of students at Paul D. Camp Community College’s Division of Workforce Development Fast Track Welding recently completed the summer 2019 program. Out of 12 students, 10 earned the American Welding Society Certification on the first attempt, and according to Director of Workforce Development Angela Lawhorne, the other two are eligible to immediately retake the certification exam.”
Welding Education
North Carolina Welding Program Nearly Doubles Its Size
“Wilson Community College’s welding technology program has a new, larger home that will be safer for students. Students had been in a cramped 5,000-square-foot space until two weeks ago when the program moved to an upgraded 9,000-square-foot building.
The program’s new quarters had been occupied by the automotive technology program, that moved to the Lee Technology Center last year.”
Tennessee High School Launches New Welding Program
“Jefferson County High School has a new welding program. During a ceremony that took place in the new welding room at the school on Friday, the new equipment was unveiled as part of a joint effort between the Jefferson County Board of School Commissioners and the Jefferson County Commission.
Prerequisite classes were offered throughout the spring semester of this year. One hundred and six students are already enrolled for fall and spring semester of Principles of Manufacturing, 39 students are enrolled in either Welding I or Welding II with dual enrollment at the Tennessee College of Applied Technology – Morristown.”
Department of Commerce Invests in Welding Programs
“U.S. Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross announced that the Department’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) is awarding a $1.5 million grant to Oklahoma Panhandle State University (OPSU) of Goodwell, to build a new welding technology training center in the Guymon Industrial Park. The grant, to be matched with $389,504 in local investment, is expected to help create 30 jobs.
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Illinois Welding Program Receives Donation from Lincoln Electric
“Titan International and Lincoln Electric made a $23,000 donation to the John Wood Community College welding program Friday, a sub-arc welder and custom welding table. JWCC President Mike Elbe says the donation is a big boost to the program.
‘We’re going to see our welding program continue to grow and what’s important is that it’s relevant to the workforce,’ he said.nTitan officials said the donation is a great way to introduce students to specialized skills.”
Welding Industry
Fabrication Company Finds Opportunities for Welding Work
“Dustin Hill is the owner and Ryan Smith the outside sales manager for PFM, Inc., which stands for Piping, Fabrication and Maintenance. They specialize in mechanical, underground and sanitary piping, plumbing, metal fabrication, plant maintenance and demolition. They have a shop in the former Ampex building in Opelika and have 40 to 45 employees throughout the Chattahoochee Valley.
‘Our welders are certified in all areas,” Smith said. “We’ve done contract work for companies such as Kia, Norbord, Knauf and West Rock. We do lots of work in the Opelika-Auburn area and Columbus. We’ve also done work in the Midwest and the Plains states. We’ve found that many companies are having a hard time finding skilled tradesmen to do work for them. There is a demand all over for this kind of work. It’s a need we help people with. We will go where we need to when there’s work to be done.’”
Penn College Adds Cutting Edge Plasma Cutter
“Soitaab, a leader in the metal cutting industry, is partnering with Pennsylvania College of Technology to place a Plasma NOVA multiprocess fabrication machine in the college’s expanded welding lab facility.”
Welding Events
FABTECH, November 11-14 in Chicago
“FABTECH brings a wealth of innovation and technology solutions to Chicago November 11-14, 2019. More than 48,000 attendees and over 1,700 exhibiting companies are expected to gather once again to celebrate metal manufacturing at its best. The event also provides educational sessions and expert-led presentations covering the latest trends and technology in the metal forming, fabricating, welding and finishing industries.”
Welding Gone Wrong
Faulty Welds Found at Nuclear Power Plants in France
“At least five nuclear reactors operated by French utility EDF might have problems with weldings on their steam generators, a fault which has raised fears of closures, France’s nuclear regulator was quoted as saying.”
Missing Welds in Toyota Supra Models
“BMW in June discovered that some vehicles were being manufactured with missing welding spots at the mount for the driver's seat-belt guide loop. An investigation found that a supplier had used inadequate parts for the mount welding tool.”
Welding Supplies and Welding Machines on Sale
The newly redesigned Baker’s Gas and Welding has all of the welding supplies you need to get started on your next welding project right away, offering Baker’s Bundles with the exact consumables you’ll need for brand name welders from Miller Electric and ESAB. Watch video reviews, compare similar welders, read customer comments, and contact online support to get the best value on your next welding machine purchase.