Wisconsin resident Zack Morrison committed his first criminal offense, and he worried how he would find work with this black mark on his record. His probation officer suggested that he take a welding course along with nine other inmates, but no one was prepared for what happened next.
The new welding program was an immediate success, providing participants with
the training they needed to interview for jobs. Four welders have already lined up work after their release.
Graduate and new welding job holder Brandon Gee commented, “It’s worth going to work for and learning every day. It’s going to help me support my family and
move in the right direction.”
Welding doesn’t just hold together bridges, buildings, cars. It can also hold together lives that are launching on a whole new start. Here’s this week’s welding news round up.
Welding Industry
Solar Skies installs first full plate laser welder in U.S.:
“For more than one year, Solar Skies Mfg., LLC in Alexandria has been working on a new absorber plate to offer to the marketplace in addition to its copper fin-tube absorber plates. Solar Skies added laser welding capabilities by installing the first and only full plate laser welder in the U.S.”
Welding Nano Particles with Ultrasound Breakthrough:
“Ultrasound can generate a lot of heat. Thousands of degrees, in fact. The question has been how to harness it, and that question has now been answered by McGill University Faculty of Dentistry and Medicine.”
Welding Jobs
Nunez Community College Provides Welders for Job Boom in New
Orleans: “Trained welders may easily find employment, according to the U.S. Department of Labor and Louisiana Workforce Commission. The Commission lists “welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers” as among the fastest growing jobs across the state. The total demand for welders with post-secondary vocational training is high, with median, hourly wages of $20.20 and a median annual income of $42,010, according to the Department of Labor’s statistics.”
Transportation Project Provides Welding Jobs in Detroit:
“Detroiters should start preparing now for the jobs that will be created through infrastructure projects, including the M1 Rail, Ann Arbor to Detroit commuter rail and reconstruction on I-94 and I-75, U.S. Rep Gary Peters said today.”
Welding Education
Sierra College and Del Oro Double Certification of High School
Welders: “Sierra College faculty certified 13 Del Oro High School agricultural welding students in American Welding Society structural welding in 2012-13, nearly doubling the number of students certified compared to last year and improving students’ competitiveness in qualifying for high wage jobs and succeeding in future technical education.”
NWF State Starts Welding Program: “Northwest Florida State College’s new welding technologies program provides graduates with the skills, knowledge and customized training necessary to become journey-level, professional welders.
The program includes six daytime courses that can be completed in three semesters at the Niceville campus. The first two — Welder Helper and Shielded Metal Arc Welder — start Aug. 19.”
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, including 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
Welding Sparks Barn Fire: “An Ottawa County man who restores antique cars says a welding spark likely caused a fire that destroyed a barn.” The fire consumed the barn 10 minutes after the welder finished his job.
Dallas Man Killed While Welding on a Tanker Truck: “The 50-year-old man was welding something on the back of a tanker truck at Bridgeport Tank Trucks around 8 a.m., said city spokesperson Amber Fogelman. Bridgeport Tank Trucks is located at 601 West U.S. Highway 380 in Wise County.”
