Welder and artist Melissa Gillespie Davis turned to welding as a career nearly 20 years ago because it didn’t require extensive schooling, paid a good wage, and had reasonable hours so that she had time with her family. Welding itself struck Davis as a kind of art form and creative outlet.
Davis worked as a union welder at a factory for 17 years before it shut down, but she didn’t hesitate about her next step: she took classes to become certified as a welding instructor. With her new career direction, Davis is giving back to welders who are just starting out, and she especially hopes women will take advantage of the opportunities it offers.
Her artwork features women workers taking part in the building trades in the hope of normalize their involvement in the welding workforce.
Welding Industry
Pipeline Welding Industry Considers Wire-Fed Welding
“It’s becoming a more common expectation — and even a mandate on some job sites — for contractors to convert from traditional shielded metal arc welding (SMAW) to wire welding processes for pipeline construction and repair.
The move away from cellulosic SMAW in pipeline work is driven by the process’s higher risk of hydrogen cracking, which results in more time and money spent on rework and repair.”
Mobile Welding Machines Matched to Job Site Needs
“Mobile welding equipment is, of necessity, ruggedly built for work on building sites, pipelines, and other outdoor applications. But understanding that operators are constantly tight for space on their trucks and time in the field, manufacturers are doing what they can to improve the tools available on the job site.”
Lincoln Electric Mourns the Loss of John Michael Stropki Jr.
“He began his 40+ year career at The Lincoln Electric Company as a summer maintenance employee and rose through the sales organization to become Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer in 2004. He retired from Lincoln Electric in 2013. John also served on the Boards of The Sherwin-Williams Company, Hyster-Yale Materials Handling, Inc, and Rexnord Corporation. John supported numerous industry associations and non-profit organizations.”
Welding Education
School Purchases Welding Gear for Female Welders
“A Roseburg High School team focused on equity in the classroom was honored by the National Alliance for Partnerships for increasing the number of girls in the welding classes. ‘In a semester’s time, we went from the two, to 38 females in welding, which is almost unheard of,’ says Roseburg High instructor Sherie Carson.
The group bought welding gear in smaller sizes and created a “Freshman Cruise” program to expose new students to career and technical classes.”
Colorado Welding Students Thrive at Competition
“Local Cañon City High School students have been excelling in their vocational trade. CCHS junior Wyatt Cosat and senior Cameron McFarland are both welding students at CCHS who have placed in welding competitions.
At the Colorado Skills USA State Welding Competition, McFarland placed third in Skills Welding secondary class. Cosat won the State Championship in the Welding Sculpture competition. This feat qualified Wyatt Cosat for a national competition.”
Texas College Adds Pipe Fitting Courses
“Built from the ground up by Texas State Technical College Welding Technology instructors and students, the program has a new pipe fitting training station for its Advanced Layout and Fabrication course.
The course, taken during a student’s third semester in the program, focuses on layout design, build and processes, blueprint reading and pipe fitting.”
Welding Jobs
Buffalo Welding Schools Will Help Fill Construction Jobs
“A new trade school called Craft Technical Institute has opened its doors, with its first open house slated for June 4 and classes expected to start soon. Led by school director Frank Daniel and educational director Renee Bowman Daniel, the state-licensed construction school offers a six-month welding-to-work program, with eight units of certified intensive training.
The new program offers morning, afternoon and evening classes, using a curriculum developed by state-licensed instructors and construction firms, preparing graduates to quickly enter the workforce. The goal is to address a shortage of workers for the construction industry by training new craftspeople.”
Pennsylvania’s Berks County Funds Welding Career Training
“Berks Career and Technology Center will receive a $200,000 grant from the state for the last phase of a new welding facility, Gov. Tom Wolf’s office announced Wednesday.
The facility that will serve 16 public school districts, private schools, residents and businesses in Berks County. The grant will come from the Manufacturing PA initiative, according to a press release.”
Welding Events
2019 Welding Industry Summit
Aug 29, 2019 – Aug 30, 2019
This Summit is intended to bring the best quality information and construction welding professionals together for a series of interactive presentations on how more value can be brought to welding operations and the best way to execute success welding plans into projects.
Welding Supplies on Sale
Get the best prices on industry leading Holland Grills that are guaranteed to heat your food evenly and is rugged enough to last far beyond its warranty. If you’re looking to get to work on a welding project this summer, the Miller Multimatic’s various models are on sale, and all of the name brand welders from Miller, Lincoln, and ESAB are bundled with various offers that range from rebates to bundles that will help you save on your welders and welding supplies.
