National Welding Month is Here!
The American Welding Society says National Welding Month is an important opportunity to highlight an industry where trade skills are in dire need, with the industry predicting a shortage of more than 200,000 skilled welding professionals in 2020! But it’s also an opportunity to send our thanks and appreciation to all our hard workers at AWC Industries.
AWS is marking its 100th birthday in 2019. The society said its Centennial celebration “really belongs to all the men and women who’ve been instrumental to the Society’s growth.” The society’s mission, “to advance the science and art of welding,” was in place at its inception in 1919.
To AWC, National Welding Month is all about putting the focus on our industry, taking steps to move it forward, and inspiring the next generation of welders. There are lots of ways you can personally get involved, but if you’re not sure where to start, don’t worry! American Welding Society has you covered with a trio of tips you can use to celebrate welding all month long!
1. Be a Mentor
There are many resources available to those just getting started in the industry, but none is as valuable as the guidance and wisdom imparted by someone who has been there and done that. This month is a great time to reach out to a welding student or newcomer at your company and take an active role in their development. There’s nothing like taking a fresh-faced novice under your wing and showing them the ropes. Go ahead, show them your special technique for especially tough jobs. Let them know you’re always up for talking shop and answering questions. Support them when things don’t go right and challenge them to get better and learn new things. As Hall of Fame NBA center, and all around excellent human being, Dikembe Mutumbo once said, “When you take the elevator to the top, please remember to send it back down so someone else might use it.”
2. Promote the Value of Skilled Trades
Despite the fact that welding is used to create everything from medical devices to cars, most people simply aren’t aware of the role it plays in their lives. As such, educational options and careers that focus on working with your hands are often stigmatized and dismissed out of hand. Make a point of changing attitudes by talking to peers from other walks of life about the importance of skilled trades like welding. The next generation is key, so consider taking part in career day at a local school.
3. Set the Example
If you want to truly impact and promote the industry in a substantive way, you may have to set an example for others to follow. The best ways to do this involve being generous with two of our most valuable assets: time and money. Do you know of a local apprenticeship program that could use some help? Make a commitment to help out. If none exist in your area, consider starting one!! Do the kids in your neighborhood need a constructive way to spend their weekends? Sign them up for the Scouts and help them get a merit badge in welding. Do you feel like there isn’t enough support for welding education at the national level? Consider making a financial contribution to a local vocational school or scholarship foundation. Better yet, get in touch with your elected officials and chime in on how our resources should be allocated.
Remember, at its core, National Welding Month is about promoting and celebrating welding and other skilled trades. This is a time to make a positive impact on the industry and have fun doing it!
Welded Assemblies by AWC Industries
At AWC Industries we produce welded assemblies and all types of weldments. Our areas of expertise include GMAW and GTAW, more commonly known as mig and tig welding, resistance welding which includes spot welding, grid welding, butt welding, “T” welding, and stud welding.
Materials include sheet, plate, strip, wire, rod and bar. Using MOTOMAN 6 axis welding robots and state of the art controls combined with sophisticated welding fixtures designed and built in house we can consistently weld complex assemblies of the highest quality. Our objective at AWC Industries is to provide you with fast and quality service to help you meet your production needs and get your products out to your customers!
By working with us, you can be rest assured that your technical projects will achieve the highest zenith of success. Our technical team can provide you with the best expertise in the industry, and you can expect your finished goods at the earliest turnaround time.
Come celebrate National Welding Month with AWC Industries. Contact us for more information and to receive a quote on your next Welded Assemblies project here!
