The annual Fun Tech event hosted by the Technical Training Group (TTG) in Stratford, Ontario. The event hosted elementary school students, ages 7-14, and allowed them to work with a variety of tools and trades available at the training center. The event included metal-working, welding, wood-working, sewing, robotics, and culinary arts.
The event’s stated goal is to help students consider a variety of careers and to remain open to a variety of skilled trades that will prove necessary in the workforce of the future. Over 110 students filled up eight different workshops where participants created a variety of projects.
Whatever age you are, opportunities in welding continue to abound:
Welding Industry
Welding Among Trades in Demand
“IBM, Amazon and Microsoft all now have apprenticeship programs that pay workers while they train for jobs demanding hard-to-find IT skills. Tech companies view apprenticeships — a staple of European labor for centuries and common in the U.S. for trades like welding and carpentry — as addressing the shortage of workers trained in skills that growing companies need.
It’s a problem that the U.S. Labor Department identified 20 years ago. And it persists even though the median pay last year for computer and information technology occupations was about $83,000, compared to $37,000 for all jobs, with demand growing rapidly over the next decade, the Bureau of Labor Statistics said.”
Students Promote Welding Careers
“The marketing and advertising firm worked with the students to produce promotional pieces to market the school. In addition, students completed a recruitment video in a separate project that is viewed in local schools. The “Hands On Success” promotions highlight JVS programs that prepare students for jobs in a variety of fields from auto body collision, computer networking technology and health technologies to power mechanics, small animal science and welding.”
Welding Jobs
Vocation School Students Prepare for Jobs
“Visitors to Mingo Central High School’s career and technical education classrooms may see students under the hood of a truck or lit up by the flicker of a welding torch. But your first impression may actually be a greeting by ambassadors in blue shirts, offering a firm handshake and their business cards.
‘It’s all those soft skills the employers are screaming for,’ said Kathy D’Antoni, chief officer for Career Technical Education for the state school system.”
Welding Simulators Help Spread Interest in Welding
“The co-founders of Skillveri became interested in making simulators for welders around the time that NSDC was established. Welding was dangerous, and there was dearth of skill in it. Sabarinath the marketing man knew there was potential in setting up physical simulators to teach the skill. There existed courses that were knowledge based: lectures and paper tests to measure proficiency. Nothing to impart practical training for this very practical, hands on skill.”
Welding Schools
Pitt County Schools Explore STEM Careers, Including Welding
“”Organized by PCC and Pitt County Schools, “Advanced Manufacturing and STEM Awareness Day” took place at the college Nov. 17. According to PCC Recruitment and Orientation Specialist John Carrere, “more than 100 students with specialized interests” participated in the event to learn firsthand about a number of STEM careers, including welding, architecture, construction, electronics engineering and biotechnology.”
Minnesota Invests in Education Changes
“Corporate partnerships have been alive and well in high schools across America for decades. But a looming labor shortage, along with a growing urgency to address Minnesota’s unyielding racial achievement gap, is prompting sweeping changes in the way businesses participate in hands-on learning. The race is on to help students more quickly figure out their interests and aptitudes and then get them trained.”
Chicago School Invests in Welding Lab Upgrades
“Elgin Area School District U-46 officials expect to spend roughly $14.7 million on capital projects in 2018, including renovation of the welding lab at Elgin High School and building a new stadium at Bartlett High School. The largest expense is $5 million for upgrading the district’s food service facility at 1150 Bowes Road in Elgin. The building will be operational by summer, officials said.”
Welding Events
International Brazing and Soldering Conference (IBSC) 2018
Apr 15, 2018 – Apr 18, 2018
The IBSC remains the premier event for the brazing and soldering community. For years, the IBSC has provided professionals, scientists and engineers involved in the research, development and application of brazing and soldering, a unique networking and idea-exchange forum.
Welding Gone Wrong
Kansas Officials Warn Against Welding Outside
“The fire forced homes to be evacuated and shut down Old Highway 40. It has since re-opened. The fire caused low visibility along I-70 and threatened its closure.
Haberer says an electrical spark from an oil pumping unit started the fire. He says this is a good reminder for people this time of year to be careful.”
Welding Supplies on Sale
Visit Baker’s Gas and Welding for the latest promotions on Miller helmets, Miller’s build with Blue rebates, information about new ESAB welders for 2018, and Thermal Dynamics plasma cutters. Now is the best timeto stock up on supplies and gear, you can find the best deals on welding supplies, welding helmets, and welding machines at Baker’s Gas and Welding. Visit Baker’s Gas and Welding for the latest price promotions and discounts on name brand welders that include ESAB, Miller Electric, and Lincoln Electric.
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