When Lorianne Tavenor-Wilson won the Canadian Welding Association (CWA) Foundation post secondary award along with a $2,000 check, it marked a milestone for the hardworking married mother of two who is in the midst of a career change after leaving high school early to pursue a career in the trades. Today, Tavenor-Wilson is on track to become the first college graduate in her family.
The CWA award weighs each welding student’s academic achievements, community involvement, volunteer work, an essay on a projected career path, and welding work. Tavenor-Wilson plans to earn a red seal journeyman’s ticket and then pursue a career in welding, however, she is also deeply involved in her community, volunteering in Citizens on Patrol with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, St. John Ambulance, and Emergency Social Services.
Welding Industry
Welding and Shielding Gas Industries Projected to Grow
The global welding gas/shielding gas market is projected to grow from USD 7.17 billion in 2015 to reach USD 9.46 billion by 2020, at a CAGR of 5.70%.
The market for welding gas/shielding gas is growing, due to increasing applications of welding gas/shielding gas in the construction sector, growing aerospace industry, and rising demand for metal manufacturing & fabrication. Growing demand from the automotive industry also provides an opportunity to the market to further grow, especially in the emerging Asia-Pacific and Latin American regions.
Welding Meets 3-D Printing
Although they’re still far from being common, 3D-printed metal bicycle frames do now exist. Usually they’re made using a sintering process, in which a laser is utilized to selectively melt steel powder, building it up in successive layers. Now, however, a team of students at the Delft University of Technology (TU Delft) in the Netherlands has taken another approach “they’ve created the world’s first stainless steel bike made via a welding-based 3D-printing technique.
Welding Jobs
Amarillo, TX Chosen for 180 New Welding Jobs
Hundreds of full-time employees are needed for a new plant opening in Amarillo. Gestamp Renewable Industries, a company out of Spain, is opening its first American wind tower manufacturing plant in Amarillo.
Amarillo was chosen out of about a dozen other locations throughout the country because of the success of the wind industry in this area. The plant, when it gets up and fully operational, will hire at least 300 people, said Buzz David, President and CEO of the Amarillo Economic Development Corporation.Annual payroll will be in the $13 million range, and their capital investment is over $40 million.
Gulfport, MS Gains 1,000 Shipyard Jobs
One thousand new shipyard jobs at Topship Shipyard is big news, not only for craftsmen currently looking for employment, but also for students at Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College.
When Jason Barker moved to the Coast, he decided to also make a career move and enrolled in MGCCC’s welding program. He says learning 1,000 shipyard jobs are coming to the area affirmed his decision.
Welding Education
Welding Students Receive Donated Miller TIG Welder
St. Ansgar High School Industrial Technology students have a new resource which they are now able to utilize in their classes. A new welder, a TIG welder, has been donated by Grain Millers. This new welder will allow the students to weld a variety of different materials, but will mostly be used to weld aluminum in the Industrial Tech classroom.
One of the main goals of the welder donation is to expose students to multiple career paths and make them aware of job opportunities at our local industries, said Industrial Tech Instructor Craig Christensen. The use of a TIG welder will allow students to learn a high level welding technique, it will also provide students with experience in a variety of welding processes.
Experienced Female Instructors Attract Female Welding Students
Less than 10 percent of women make up the welding workforce, and San Jacinto College welders Amber Tyler and Emily Choate are up for the challenge on how to turn this number around. They’re called the “dynamic duo” within the College’s welding department and for a good reason. Since coming aboard as welding faculty members, Tyler and Choate have encouraged high school groups of female students to visit their campus for a glimpse at the welding labs, and for discussions on what it takes to become a welder and benefits of a career in welding.
They’re really surprised at what we say, Choate said. They see the welding lab, and they become excited about this career. They tell us that they’re coming back after high school to become welders.
Welding Student Breaks Gender Stereotypes
Kalei Kipp is the only girl in the welding program at Cedar Crest High School in Pennsylvania.It’s different from every other class that’s offered at the school, and it’s kind of dangerous and neat, explains Kalei, who is considering a career in welding.
The U.S. economy includes more than 388,000 welding jobs and will need 111,000 new welders in five years, according to the American Welding Society. Currently, only 3 percent of professional welders are women.
Welding Events
FABTECH-Canada
FABTECH Canada will take place at the Toronto Congress Centre, March 22-24, 2016. The event is co-sponsored by SME, the Fabricators & Manufacturers Association, International (FMA), the American Welding Society (AWS), the Precision Metal-forming Association (PMA), and Chemical Coaters Association International. Companies specializing in fabricating, metal forming, welding, and finishing will have the opportunity to network, improve productivity, increase profits and discover innovative ways to expand in today’s competitive business environment.
9th International Seminar & Conference on Advances in Resistance Welding
Apr 12, 2016 – Apr 15, 2016, Miami, FL
AWS, RWMA, and Swantec have joined forces to bring this Seminar and Conference on Resistance Welding. Industry experts from leading institutes and companies in the Âfield of resistance welding will give a comprehensive overview on the latest in materials, welding equipment, innovations, and industrial applications. Take advantage of this unique opportunity to network with the leaders in resistance welding.
Welding Gone Wrong
Man Trapped by Welding Fire
A man suffered life-threatening burns after a welding fire erupted in a Magnolia garage early Saturday morning. The blaze started about 12:30 a.m. in a backyard structure at Towering Oaks Drive and Lonesome Pine Street.
The 45-year-old victim was doing welding work when something caught fire and sent flames throughout the shed. Authorities believe the man was injured as he attempted to extinguish the fire or while he was trapped by the flames.
