Product category:
Education, Training, Courses
News Release from: American Welding Society
Edited by the Processingtalk Editorial
Team on 30 April 2008
Lincoln Electric helps relieve welder
shortage
The American Welding Society (AWS) has announced that the Lincoln Electric Company will donate USD300,000 to the AWS Foundation to help relieve the nationwide shortage of welders
In association with this donation, Lincoln and the AWS Foundation will collaborate on new marketing initiatives to promote welding careers and help bolster the ranks of welders According to AWS and other industry research, the average age of a welder is in the mid-fifties
This article was originally published on Processingtalk on 21 Jul 2006 at 8.00am (UK)
Related stories
22,400 active AWS certified welding inspectors!
The American Welding Society has reached a milestone of nearly 22,400 active Certified Welding Inspectors (CWI), and the programme continues to expand worldwide
AWS publishes new titanium welding standard
The American Welding Society has announced their newly published standard on titanium welding, AWS G2.4/G2.4M:2007, a guide for the Fusion Welding of Titanium and Titanium Alloys
Fewer graduates entering the profession, coupled with the continuing retirement of experienced welders, has led to a shortage of skilled welders that could weaken the US manufacturing sector and the overall economy.
Lincoln will donate the funds over a two year period beginning in 2008.
Lincoln will also contribute marketing support and partner with AWS to produce a promotional welding career video to be used on-line, in classrooms and throughout industry.
Further reading
New resistance welding standards from AWS
AWS, the world's largest nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing the science, technology and application of welding, will shortly be releasing two brand-new resistance welding standards
AWS is joining dissimilar metals in Florida in May
A new AWS Conference will showcase industry secrets and latest innovations in joining dissimilar metals: industry experts will explore emerging technologies and problem-solving techniques
Welding technologies explode at AWS Conference
An unprecedented number of new technologies are exploding onto the welding industry landscape, transforming the methods by which some welding procedures are performed
The video will feature several well-known personalities who have sponsorship agreements with Lincoln.
In addition, this donation will support the AWS Foundation Welder Workforce Development Program.
The foundation launched the programme in 2006 to address the critical need for recruitment and specialised training of entry-level welders while supporting industry workforce needs.
It is an essential component of the AWS Foundation USD10 million capital campaign, 'Welding for the Strength of America', which is aimed at facilitating programmes, scholarships and other initiatives in support of the welding industry.
At year-end 2007, the AWS Foundation had raised USD2.6 million toward its campaign effort.
Ronald C Pierce, AWS Foundation Chairman, said, "This generous contribution to our campaign will enable AWS to launch much-needed programs and marketing initiatives toward the promotion of welding careers.
Lincoln Electric has always been a very important partner to AWS, and their continued support helps us build a stronger welding workforce for America".
The AWS Foundation will utilise this donation to fund new programmes and marketing initiatives for the recruitment of welders and promotion of welding careers.
In addition, funds will support the foundation Solutions Opportunity Squad (SOS), which is made up of new AWS staff individuals who consult with and build strategies for end users and welding educational institutions.
They will also support local AWS Sections, businesses and other organizations that have specific workforce development needs.
"We are proud to participate in these AWS programmes," said Richard Seif, senior vice president, Global Marketing, Lincoln Electric, and AWS Foundation board trustee: "This campaign is new territory for all of us.
We are excited about the direction in which AWS is headed to attract the best and the brightest to the industry and we are particularly impressed with their SOS team.
The shortage of welders is one of the most important issues facing our industry.
It is absolutely critical that we make motivated, organized and responsible individuals aware that welding is a safe and rewarding career option.
We feel the video will also become an important tool since it will give us a way to directly reach those who are looking into new or different career paths".
Lincoln Electric has been an AWS Sustaining Member Company for 71 years.
During its history of involvement with the AWS, the company and many individual employees have endowed scholarships, funded awards and served with the AWS Foundation, including incoming AWS President Victor Matthews, a 44-year Lincoln employee.
• American Welding Society: contact details and other news
• Email this article to a colleague
• Register for the free Processingtalk email newsletter
• Processingtalk Home Page
