An anticipated gap of nearly 400,000 national welding jobs is already being felt in central Florida where Seminole State College has stepped up to offer badly needed job training for students seeking welding work. Out of nine recent graduates of a one-year certificate program, eight immediately found jobs and the remaining graduate went on to further training.
The welding program at Seminole State College has a waiting list and has already added night classes in order to keep up with demand. A fourth class may even be in the works.
Welding instructor Jason Becker commented, “Welding can be a lot more complicated than people think. At our school, we don’t just teach people to pass the certification test. We also focus on applications and techniques, like how to identify certain types of metal and determine the correct welding process. There’s a lot more science and a lot more mathematics involved than people realize.
With updated facilities, a thorough curriculum, flexible class schedules, and opportunities to earn tuition grants from the Workforce Investment Act, welding students in Florida are finding high-quality welding jobs that offer opportunities to advance and grow in their new careers.
Welding Industry
Unemployment Dip Aided by Demand for Welding Jobs
The American Welding Society is hoping to spark an interest in developing metal fabrication skills as the profession faces a shortage of 374,000 workers nationwide by 2024, said Daniel Stopnick, a work force development specialist who travels with the group’s educational trailer. The 53-foot long exhibit is brought to events around the country, including the Farm Progress Show earlier this month in Decatur.
“We’re doing everything we can to grow the trade out and get kids interested,” Stopnick said. “The sky is the limit.”
Welding Jobs
Demand for Welding Jobs Prompts High School to Convert Auto Shop to Welding Shop
The instructor is 32-year-old Jason Whitman, who left the industry to teach the skills needed to produce work-ready graduates. “We had interest from the community, from manufacturers in the community, who expressed the need for qualified employees,” said Hernando County School District career technical education specialist Christine Kostis, explaining why the school decided to adopt the course study.
Zanesville, Ohio Welding Shop Seeking Employees
Hannah Welding has been operating in Zanesville for about a year after opening up a shop on Church Hill Road Co-owner Mike Malin said the company will be seeking employees with skills in welding, iron work and millwright experience. A number of employees has not been determined, and no applications have been received, but Malin hopes to find workers who live in the area.
Welding Education
Prison Inmates Learn Valuable Job Skills through Welding Program
Jeremy Worley, who teaches welding at a technical college in north Georgia, says “the demand for welders is at a level that is growing quicker than we can get them out.”
So Worley will teach welding to anyone at any age, anywhere, including inside Walker State Prison. As part of its ongoing prison reform, Georgia decided to give inmates access to heavy tools and blowtorches so they can get a welding certificate.
Ohio Community College Welding Program Recognized Nationally
Lakeland Community College’s welding programs have been added to the Manufacturing Institute’s M-List. The Manufacturing Institute, an affiliate of the National Association of Manufacturers, created the M-List to recognzie high schools, community colleges, technical schools and universities that are teaching industry standard manufacturing. The institute emphasizes the ability of students to gain a certificate endorsed by the national association.
Baton Rouge Community College Partners with Employers
Charles Reed, a first semester welding student from St. Francisville, says he’s on track to be a combination welder but wouldn’t be if it had not been for the instructors at Baton Rouge Community College in Jackson and Campus Administrator Johnny Arceneaux.
I was in between jobs and Mr. Frank (Reynolds), my instructor, and Mr. Johnny helped me get into this class. “They are really here for us, the students, and that means a lot,” said Reed. “I appreciate their help.”
Welding Events
FABTECH
FABTECH brings a wealth of innovation and technology solutions to Chicago, IL November 9-12, 2015… More than 40,000 attendees and over 1,500 exhibiting companies are expected to gather once again to celebrate metal manufacturing at its best. The event also provides learning opportunities beyond the show floor with over 100 educational sessions and expert-led presentations covering the latest trends and technology in the metal forming, fabricating, welding and finishing industries.â
Welding Gone Wrong
Stadium Contractor Fabricated Certifications for Welders
Weeks before the University of Cincinnati opened the doors on an $86 million renovation to historic Nippert Stadium, FOX19 NOW opened an investigation into a contractor working on the project.
We uncovered a stack of welding certifications that appeared to have been fabricated and men who welded on the project claimed they should have never been allowed.
