Welder Ryan Fincher, 21, of Cedartown, GA finished just short of winning the spot of U.S. representative for the WorldSkills welding competition three years ago. He then got to work, practicing his welds for hours at a time, even quitting his full-time welding job in order to work part-time as a lab assistant at Georgia Northwestern Technical College (GNTC). 
Fincher recently won the pre-trials this time around and is preparing for the WorldSkills welding competition in Russia later this summer. Fincher will be traveling to Germany, St. Louis, and China for a series of competitions to keep himself sharp and prepared for the world stage.
Welding Industry
Pennsylvania School Will Use Electron Beam Welder
“A week after the spring semester ended, six welding faculty at Pennsylvania College of Technology went back to school – as students. That preparation will equip them to be pioneers this fall when the college becomes the first U.S. educational institution to feature an electron beam welder.”
Welding Jobs
Welding Students Line Up Work
“Florence-Darlington Technical College hosted a signing ceremony Monday for four incoming pipe welding students who will work at Day & Zimmerman after completing their coursework.
William Lunn, Jacob Smith, Christopher Sims and Evan Pederson, who all graduated from Hartsville High School this spring, signed a letter of intent to work with Day & Zimmerman, an international company that specializes in construction, engineering, operations, maintenance, staffing, security and defense.”
Setting the Record Straight on Robotic Welding
“Robotic gas metal arc welding (GMAW) guns and consumables are an important part of the welding operation yet are frequently overlooked when investing in robotic welding systems. Companies often choose the least expensive option when, in reality, purchasing quality robotic GMAW guns and consumables can lead to significant cost savings in the long run. There are many other common misconceptions about robotic GMAW guns and consumables that, if corrected, can help increase productivity and decrease downtime for the entire welding operation.”
Welders Prepare for Careers Working Underwater
“Commercial Divers International is a Goodyear-based company, that teaches the craft of underwater welding, a thrilling and obscure career that takes workers to great depths.
Underwater welding is a highly specialized profession that combines two skills: welding and diving. They’re construction workers, but in order to get to their job site, they have to take the plunge. It’s a lucrative job that can include traveling around the country and the world, and for some the journey starts at Commercial Divers International.”
Welding Schools
Welding Program Prepares Students for Maritime Welding Jobs
“Starting this Fall, students and adult learners can take courses in welding from Oregon Coast Community College, thanks to a partnership with the Port of Toledo, Northwest Oregon Works and the Lincoln County School District.
The Port of Toledo was the lead applicant in a $261,285 Maritime Administration Small Shipyard Grant Application to the U.S. Department of Transportation. On Wednesday, June 12, the partners learned that the grant had been awarded.”
Students Gain Valuable Welding Experience
“The students at the Wilson Talent Center are incredibly passionate about their programs, an with the DART Advanced Manufacturing Center, they’re getting to collaborate with students in other programs.”
Income Eligible Students Can Get Free Welding Training in Maine
“Western Maine Community Action at the CareerCenter in Lewiston and Oxford Hills/Nezinscot Adult Education are offering another opportunity for welding training with Bancroft Contracting Corp. in South Paris. The customized professional welding program offers 72 hours of hands-on welding instruction and safety training, held at Bancroft, plus 20 hours of classroom time for math for welders and job-readiness skills that will be held at Oxford Hills Adult Education, 256 Main St., Paris.”
Virtual Welding Comes to Virginia School
“The PVCC Workforce Services program has purchased an augmented reality machine to help welding students learn in a safer environment before doing the real thing. Piedmont Virginia Community College holds its welding classes at the Virginia School of Metal in Fluvanna County. In early June, a brand new augmented reality welding machine arrived at the shop, courtesy of the community college.”
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 Gone Wrong
Acetylene Leak Contained After Tank Ignited
“An acetylene tank for a welding set located in the Fort Dodge city garage caught fire Tuesday morning, but caused no other damage to the building. Fire Chief Steve Hergenreter said the tank was in operation when it started burning. The Fire Department was contacted at 10:03 a.m. for the fire at 3001 Eighth Ave. S.”
Welding Supplies on Sale
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Learn more at Baker’s Gas and Welding