Did You Know!?
Welding has been called, "the best kept secret" in career planning. the fact is welding is a critical skill that will always be in demand. From the beginning of civilization, we have relied on the skills of welders to enrich our lives.
History of Welding
Depictions of ancient welders and tools are found in long-sealed Egyptian tombs. President Roosevelt, in a letter to Prime Minister Winston Churchill, boasts about the discovery of a new welding technique enabling America to build ships with a speed unequaled in the history of shipbuilding. See how discoveries and developments in welding processes and metallurgy led to the technological marvels that changed the world we live in today. To find out more about welding and AWS, follow this link to the AWS Web site...Go!
What Is Welding, Anyway?
Steel melts at 2,800 degrees Fahrenheit.
A common form of welding, Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW), uses a consumable wire electrode. GMAW is common in high-production manufacturing and construction.
Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (GTAW) uses a nonconsumable tungsten electrode to make high-precision welds. GTAW is common in the aerospace, nuclear, and food industries.
Shielded Metarl Arc Welding (SMAW) uses flux-covered electrodes. Often called "stick" or "stick-electrode" welding, SMAW is a frequent choice for repair and occasional welding.
Still another welding method, Resistance Welding, uses electrical resistance and pressure to fuse metals, instead of an arc.
Welding-related expenditures in American industry and construction were at least $34.1 billion in the year 2000 alone. These expenditures are equivalent to more than $325 for every U.S. household.
The shortage of qualified operators, technicians, and engineers in the field of welding is a potential threat to U.S. industry.
The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2006-07 Edition, says "job prospects should be excellent" for welders through 2014.
