Travis Jumper launched the welding program at Lewis and Clark College in Missouri back in 2012, and since then he has helped grow a program that has educated over 50 welders. Jumper has recently been recognized as the Howard E. Adkins Memorial Instructor of the Year Award by the St. Louis segment of the American Welding Society.
Jumper commented, “I enjoy teaching welding and helping students develop their skills in the trade. Welding is a skill that cannot be outsourced and there will always be a need for welders.”
A favorite of students in the program, Jumper approaches his welding work as more of a mentor and a coach, who guides his students through hands-on learning and considering the best choices for themselves and their careers. He first learned about the need for more vocational instructors while in high school and soon determined that he would help fill that gap.
Welding Industry
Welding Gas Supply Company Adds Locations
Memphis-based nexAir LLC, one of the largest distributors of atmospheric gases and welding supplies in the United States, today announced its merger with 23 Praxair Distribution Southeast, LLC (“PDSE”) branches located in Florida and southeast Georgia and the acquisition of two Praxair Distribution, Inc. (“PDI”) branches in eastern Georgia. The transaction closed on December 31, 2015, and nexAir assumed operations of the 25 branches as of January 4, 2016.
Ultrasonic Welding Proves Critical for Medical Devices
Herrmann Ultrasonics Inc. has worked with medical company Genicon to build one of the largest ultrasonic medical weld tools ever designed. The product being welded “a newly designed suction irrigation handle” which was shown by Genicon at the recent MEDICA 2015 tradeshow in Germany.
Welding Education
Registration for Spring Semester Welding Class at Missouri College
Pearl River Community College will offer a night welding course at the Hancock Center in Waveland during the spring semester. The class will meet from 4:30 to 9:30 p.m. Monday through Wednesday, Jan. 11 through May 9, at the Hancock Center welding shop, 454 Highway 90 in Waveland.
The course offers an industry recognized certificate in welding, including applications for 10-hour OSHA certification and NCCER certification in introductory craft skills and Level I welding modules. The modules include welding safety, oxyfuel cutting, SMAW equipment and set up, SMAW electrode, SMAW beads and fillet welds and SMAW groove welds with backing.
Illinois College Combines Welding Certification with GED Program
The new Integrated Career and Academic Preparation System (ICAPS) program at College of DuPage helps students earn their high school equivalency and COD certificate while preparing for industry certification all at the same time and at no cost. With the help of state and federal funding, College of DuPage is one of a select group of community colleges in Illinois participating in ICAPS, which integrates the GED program with career and technical training.
Kilgore College Receives $300,000 in Grants for Welding Program
Grants from the state and Kilgore Economic Development Corp. will put steel in a welding program offered in Kilgore College’s dual college credit program.
We chose welding because there’s such a demand for it, Kilgore College Dean of Business Technology and Public Services Randy Lewellen said “Kilgore College has been offering industrial arts training, including welding, increasingly in partnership with area high schools. Kilgore ISD is finishing construction on a new home for the dual-credit welding curriculum.”
Welding Jobs
Young Welders at Career Center Collect Over 400 Toys for Children
The Welding and Automated Materials Joining Labs (AMJ) from the Columbiana County Career and Technical Center (CCCTC) held its annual toy drive in December.
Hosted was a contest among the labs at the CCCTC to encourage students to bring in toys for children that they may not receive otherwise on Christmas Day.
High School Welding Class Provides First Step to a Career
Gaylord High School students are earning college credit through a Kirtland Community College pilot program while they gain welding job training.
Joe Ross is one of 15 Gaylord High School students in the Kirtland welding class who said he enjoys getting out of a traditional classroom setting. “We come in here (to the shop), we usually spend a little bit of time in the classroom learning about what we’re going to do, and then we come in and do it,” Ross said. “You have to have experience (welding), to see it, feel it and then do it.”
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
Welding Company Held Responsible for Not Providing Safety Gear
[Craig] Madigan was injured on June 29, 2012, when he fell 20-feet from a welding machine manufactured or sold by the defendants after a weld on the machine failed.
However, Madigan wasn’t wearing the proper safety equipment while working from the height, an oversight that makes his employer, BBB Tank Services, responsible for his injures, according to Mitrowski’s first amended answer, filed Feb. 5.
Welding Supplies
Now that you know what’s going on in the world of welding, visit Baker’s Gas and Welding for the latest deals in welders, welding safety gear, and welding supplies.
