Amanda Propper moved to North Dakota in search of a high paying job in the oil fields. While she had welded in her early 20’s, she didn’t think she could handle that kind of work. She changed her mind when her brother offered her a month-long welding job that would pay $10,000 for a month.
Propper took the job, and soon she had plenty of work in the oil fields to keep her busy. Proppper soon met Chris Kamph, a hard-working electrician who also moved out to North Dakota in search of work. Kamph and Propper were married
this month.
Welding brings good things together. Speaking of which, here’s the latest welding news round up.
Welding Industry
Pennsylvania Shifts Toward Pipeline Work and Needs Welders:
“‘Such welding skills are critically important,’ said Penn State economist Timothy Kelsey. ‘If it isn’t done properly, this is a huge safety issue. So it is good that the industry is having people do the welding who know what they’re doing, irrespective of where they live.’”
Welding Inspectors Prepare New Bay Bridge for September 3rd Opening: “While Caltrans and contractors scurry to prepare the new Bay Bridge for opening on Sept. 3, state inspectors are also busy below decks, painstakingly scanning 656 feet of welds at the base of the new span’s huge tower using a procedure much like what a doctor uses to examine a baby in the womb: An ultrasound machine, lubricating gel and a handheld transducer probe.
Technicians are looking for cracks, bubbles, lack of fusion or other defects in the 4-inch thick welded vertical joints between the base’s steel shear plates and stiffeners, which keep the four tower legs aligned during a big earthquake.”
Welding Jobs
Union Training Center in Glens Falls, NY Ready for Welders:
“The new plumber’s union training center at Tech Meadows business park is just
about ready for its first class of apprentices. ‘Classes start in three weeks. So we’re hustling,’ said Scott Martel, business manager of Local 773 of the United Association of Plumbers and Steamfitters.Apprentices will be trained at the center in plumbing, welding, pipe-fitting, heating and air conditioning.”
Seattle Leads America in Job Growth:
“The secret to Seattle’s success is its mix of industries—a combination of technology, service and manufacturing that have hired more readily than those other parts of the country. Seattle has added factory jobs at a rate nearly four times as fast as the rest of the U.S. in the past two years. Retail and construction jobs have grown more than twice as fast.”
Welding Education
Petosky Welding Students Coached in New Job Skills: “Six local students welded their way to job skills in Charlevoix-Emmet Intermediate School District’s summer work program… after eight weeks of classroom and on-the-job training.”
Welding Students Gain Experience with Sierra Pacific: “Shasta College has expanded its cooperative program with local businesses by working with Sierra Pacific Industries to train students in practical applications of welding technology. Under the program, students in Shasta College’s Welding Technology Program are constructing projects that will be put into use by SPI at its local wood products facilities.”
Welding Events
FABTECH
Offers New Education Courses During Conference: “Expanded education program will be held alongside FABTECH, North American metal forming, fabricating, welding, and finishing event, which will take place in Chicago, IL on November 18–21, 2013. Lineup will comprise 100+ educational sessions, ncluding 64 courses never before offered at previous FABTECH events.”
16th Annual Aluminum Conference: September 4-5, 2013 in Chicago, IL
“A distinguished panel of aluminum-industry experts will survey the state of the art in aluminum welding technology and practice. The 16th Aluminum Welding Conference will also provide several opportunities for you to network informally with speakers and other participants, and to visit an exhibition showcasing products and services available to the aluminum welding industry.”
Welding Gone Wrong
Unsafe Welding Practices at Root of Black Elk Welding Accident: “A consultant’s report for a Texas-based company says a deadly 2012 explosion on its Gulf of Mexico oil platform off the Louisiana coast happened when workers for a subcontractor used unsafe welding practices.The report was released Wednesday, the same day two injured workers and their spouses filed a $180 million federal lawsuit in connection with the accident.”
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