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Where Are All the New Welding Operators? Chances are, you've struggled with this question. The number of people who weld for a living dropped 10 percent in just five years. In fact, the AWS predicts that by 2010, demand for skilled welders may exceed supply by 200,000. This labor shortage holds back businesses that would otherwise grow prosper and keep American industry strong. The good news is that we can do something about it: recruit new welders and support training programs. The AWS' Welder Workforce Development Program has recently been established to do just that. To address the shortage of trained welders in the U.S., it funds the training of entry-level welders and specialized training of existing welders. AWS Foundation chairman Ron Pierce and his wife pledged $100,000 to initially fund this program, and Miller Electric and Hobart Brothers recently pledged $1 million to the program to act as an industry catalyst. Some of you reading this BLOG have already taken personal or corporate steps to address the chronic shortage of skilled welders (see related story). If you have any particularly innovative or noteworthy methods and ideas, share your successes by using the "Leave a Comment" form below. Read more from MillerWelds |
