Brittany Everett didn’t choose welding as her first career. She had been working a desk job in drafting and design, but when she was laid off, she needed to find a reliable source of income in order to support herself and her young daughter. That’s where welding came in.
After enrolling in a 120 hour welding training program, she was not only certified, she had a series of job interviews lined up right away. “I always wanted to try welding since I was in high school,” she shared. “I don’t mind working hard or sweating, and I know welding is a really good field to get in to.”
As welding jobs continue to multiply, welding has been a reliable fall back career for anyone who likes working with their hands and needs a steady source of income. This week the world of welding continues to show signs of growth and new training opportunities.
Article and Image Source: Sealy News
Welding Industry
Welding Professor Tries to Fuse Two Welding Processes: This was a chance to take the Lab’s laser expertise and combine it with a welding technique called friction stir welding, a technique that the Lab is interested in and that I have experience in applying,” Baker said. “We are trying to merge those two technologies and create a technology called diode laser-assisted friction stir welding. If we can heat the material up first with lasers, the process may become more efficient.”
Friction stir welding is a solid-state joining process used to fuse two metal surfaces. A welding tool generates heat that creates a soft border on each metal piece, allowing the two to be mechanically intermixed and fused together without melting. This expertise, paired with the Lab’s long history of leadership in lasers, creates the basis for a well-executed exploration of combining the two technologies.
Welding Education
Former Nursing Student Enjoys Welding Classes: Twenty-one-year-old Miranda Baucom ties back her long blond hair in a ponytail and drops the shield of her welding helmet down over her face. She then lights a torch that will reach temperatures above 3,000 degrees.
Baucom started college after graduating from Richmond Senior High School in 2012. She began taking classes to become a nurse, but it didn’t take long for her to realize this wasn’t the right career path for her, so she withdrew from the program.
Three Rivers College Offers Free Welding Course: Beginning August 19, a new flux-cored welding pilot program will be offered. According to Project Director, Michael Barrett, the first course will be offered tuition-free, but there are only 18 slots left, so he encourages anyone interested to apply right away. The eight-week series of classes will begin on Tuesday, August 19, and will continue every Tuesday and Thursday night, 4-8 p.m.
“Since this is the first (time this course has been offered), and its financial aid package has not been completed yet, we are offering it tuition-free,” said Barrett. “However, it is only this one time, so students will need to go online, at www.trcc.edu, to complete the application, before going to the TRC Kennett campus to actually register for the class.”
Welding Events
FABTECH Comes to Atlanta on November 11-13, 2014: FABTECH is bringing together an anticipated 27,000 attendees and 1,400 exhibiting companies all under one roof. The show provides a backdrop for visitors to experience live equipment demonstration, find cost savings solutions, and network with industry peers throughout the 500,000+ square feet of show floor throughout the A, B, and C buildings at the Georgia World Congress Center.
The event also provides learning opportunities beyond the exhibits with over 100 educational sessions and expert-led presentations on the latest industry trends and technology in the metal forming, fabricating, welding and finishing industries.
Welding Gone Wrong
Welding Mistake Caused Fire on Australian Navy Ship: Millions of dollars of military hardware burned ferociously as HMAS Bundaberg sat high and dry beside the Brisbane River.
The 57-metre navy patrol boat was being refitted by civilian contractors when the blaze erupted deep within the belly of the ship, just before midday. The flames quickly engulfed the vessel, worth about $30 million, sending black smoke spewing from the huge industrial shed.
