It’s impressive that Jonathan Flores, 24, has completed his welding program with a 4.0 average and is poised to graduate with a number of promising welding opportunities. However, what’s most striking about his accomplishment is that Flores has done all of this from a wheelchair since he is paralyzed from the chest down.
After a he broke his back in a dramatic car crash four years ago, Flores has struggled to regain control of his arms and hands. However, he now has the ability to weld after learning the best positions and grips for him. Welding has always been on his radar as an ideal creative outlet, but now he hopes to make a career out of it.
Welding Industry
Welding Industry Is Poised for Growth
“Reliable projections show that in the next six years, the U.S. welding industry will require tens of thousands more welders to cope with industry growth. The growing demand for welders stretches across a variety of industries, including agriculture, mining, construction, transportation, plant maintenance, and the fast-growing shale gas sector. Additionally, as the nation’s infrastructure continues to age, those trained in welding and related fields will be needed to help rebuild highways, bridges, and buildings.”
Construction Posts Six Years of Growth in the U.S.
“Annual construction spending in the U.S. grew for six consecutive years, from 2012 to 2017, according to data from the Department of Commerce. In each of those six years, spending on power construction projects topped all other segments in nonresidential construction, making it a major driver of industry trends.
With U.S. construction spending hitting a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $1.32 trillion in June 2018, staying on schedule and within budget in this competitive and demanding environment is critical for contractors.”
Welding Jobs
Earn While You Learn Program Offered to Iowa Welders
“GOMACO Corporation in Ida Grove, in cooperation with Iowa Central Community College and OABCIG High School, will be offering an “Earn While You Learn” welding program. GOMACO has provided the high school with state-of-the-art, virtual reality, arc welding training simulators and actual welding stations for the educational process.”
Welder Transitions from Structures to Horseshoes
“At 24-years-old, Autumn Weppener is a full-time industrial welder and runs her own side business called “PRETTYNSTEEL Metal Art.” Weppener uses standard horseshoe and metal art designs, as well as original PRETTYNSTEEL designs in her inventory.
Some of her original designs include a horseshoe horse rack, scented metal roses, horseshoe coat/key rack and horseshoe shelf brackets. Weppener grew up on a farm in northern Idaho and considers herself a “small-town country girl at heart.” She started welding in a high school elective class and using the skilled trade she learned there, she was able to go straight into the workforce without debt.”
Welding Education
New Welding Program Seeks Instructor
An East Bay school is looking for a new instructor with big shoes to fill for a program that gives their students real-world professional skills. Kennedy High School in Richmond offers a welding program that – in two years’ time – will graduate students with the hands-on experience to begin a career as a professional welder.
The state-of-the-art metal shop is brand-new and – thanks to a partnership with Chevron – contains everything needed to put young people on a path to a high-paying career.
Student Considers Welding As Part of His Career
“High School senior Carson Hill is considering a career in welding, agriculture, or auto body. As a Technical Careers High School student, he’s taking classes in all three plus gaining additional valuable experience during FFA state and Eastern Idaho State Fair competitions. He’s been in FFA for four years now and is president of his chapter.”
Three Women Join Kansas Welding Class
Butler Community College currently has three females enrolled in its welding program. “It’s very uncommon to have three,” said Lead Welding Instructor Matthew Galbraith. “These gals are very intelligent. They are very driven, very focused. They are tough.” Each of the women chose welding for different reasons.
“I just always wanted to try it. I went into the medical program and realized it really wasn’t for me and I wanted to try something more hands on and it’s the best thing I’ve ever done,” said Amy Crain, 25.
Students Prepare for Welding Competition
“High school students will have a chance to showcase their welding skills in Lufkin Friday, December 7. Angelina College will be hosting its sixth welding competition, during which students will be judged on their ability to cut, weld, and fabricate metal.
Robbie Hughes, Zack Nerren, Andrew Arnold, and Eli Box are competing in the welding competition for high school students. Huntington High School Ag mechanics teacher Wade Gartman says that their previous experience in welding competitions has prepared them for success in tomorrow’s contest.”
Welding Events
Plastics Conference
Apr 30, 2019
AWS developed this conference featuring the latest advances in manufacturing, fabrication, installation and examination related to thermoplastics welding and joining.
FABTECH Mexico
May 7, 2019 – May 9, 2019
Join tens of thousands of industry professionals May 7-9, 2019 at FABTECH Mexico! The event takes place at the Cintermex in Monterrey, continuing to co-locate with the established AWS Weldmex and Metalform Mexico.
Welding Gone Wrong
Welders May Need Protection from Fumes Containing Harmful Nanoparticles
“Working as part of an international group of toxicologists, scientists of the Far Eastern Federal University (FEFU) have found that harmful nanoparticles are formed in the process of arc welding using the most common types of electrodes today. Suspended in welding fumes, these particles infiltrate the respiratory tract. The study is published in Scientific Reports.”