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OUTSOURCING WELDING
TRAINING
By André A.
Odermatt
The word outsource came into
being in the late 1970’s. In my active business life working
with a welding equipment manufacturer, we spent hundreds if not
thousands of hours in those years debating outsourcing vs. do it
yourself. There was a lot of negative criticism against any
outsourcing.
Historically, my associates
within the company made almost everything in-house mainly
because it was not easy to purchase many of the components
needed in those early years. However, this changed with
businesses increasing specialization and focus as well as with
changing technologies. The term technology is used extensively
in management literature and literally means the “state of
techniques.” It is, however, interpreted broadly, and is often
given the wrong meaning, so it has become a buzz word. There are
many types of technologies such as generic, base, core, key,
pacing, complimentary and others.
In order for businesses to
stay alive in this ever-increasing competitive world, companies
started to concentrate on their key technologies (those few who
provide the competitive advantage) and started to outsource base
technologies (those who are available to all firms in a business
or an industry). Every company has limited available resources
and outsourcing helps to redirect those resources towards
activities which best serve the customer. The Outsourcing
Institute* has identified some of the main reasons for
outsourcing including:
The Outsourcing Institute
has further identified four basic stages to the outsourcing
process: Assessment, Request for Proposal, Selection and
Governance. According to a survey 58% of all companies surveyed
said they are still in the initial assessment stage and within
that assessment stage 37% said they are still defining the
outsourcing strategy. Another 13% said they are deciding which
functions to outsource.
Hobart Institute of Welding
Technology frequently receives requests for proposals (RFP’s) or
requests for quotations (RFQ’s), which would indicate that
companies have completed the initial assessment stage for the
outsourcing of training. However, this survey supports our
findings and my personal experience in my former business life;
outsourcing decisions are still big issues for many companies
and are not easily resolved amongst the hierarchy of managers.
IS WELDING TRAINING A KEY
TECHNOLOGY FOR COMPANIES THAT USE WELDING AS A MANUFACTURING
PROCESS? IT IS FOR HOBART INSTITUTE – IT’S WHAT WE DO BEST!
Over the past 75 years, we
have learned how to best teach welding and we keep learning and
adapting to the needs of younger generations. Our instructors
not only teach in our school environment, but also they rotate
between skill career training and corporate training. I argue
that HIWT can have a higher success rate in creating excellent
welders than any in-house or on-the job-training program.
Because welding is a
manufacturing process with so many variables it is also a
process that can cause high scrap and rework expenses, which can
be reduced or virtually eliminated by a skilled welder. The
potential to reduce manufacturing expenses exists in practically
every welding operation. HIWT specialists can help identify
areas of cost reduction.
But skilled welders can also
help to reduce operating expenses in manufacturing support
activities. With the ongoing trend toward multi-craft skill
development, one metal fabricator needed to take specialized
trade personnel such as Millwrights, Electricians, and
Toolmakers and add welding as a skill to make these employees
better rounded and to streamline processes throughout the
plant. Hobart Institute instructors developed a customized
training program. Eight to twelve students were trained in each
session beginning in the classroom. Students who were toolmakers
by trade gained an understanding of metal heat-treating and
preheat temperature conditions, as each type of tool steel
responds differently. At this plant, welding is done on large
and expensive dies, so it is particularly important to
understand heat treatment. Students were tested and certified.
Another company was recently
faced with the challenge to weld titanium pipe for fixturing
devices. No one in this plant had ever welded titanium and plant
management felt that this job had to be outsourced. Some of the
welders, however, felt they could weld titanium if they would be
provided proper training in titanium welding. Management
contacted HIWT and, as a result, our instructors were able to
enhance the welding knowledge of their employees and provide
them with skills to weld titanium, which allowed the company to
use existing resources for this job. These are just two examples
that show how outsourcing training is the most cost-effective
way to accomplish the job.
If your company is in the
outsourcing assessment phase for welder training, Hobart
Institute can conduct a professional training needs analysis. We
begin by asking many questions, such as what processes are
involved, what types, thickness, and forms of materials, what
positions, what joint fit-ups, and what experience the trainees
have. We also conduct an assessment of the working
environment. Once your company’s needs are identified, HIWT
professionals can create a course outline tailor-made to meet
your specific requirements. Based on this evaluation and
quotation, your company may decide to outsource welder training
to Hobart Institute, or they may choose to conduct the training
in-house, keeping in mind that not every good welder is
necessarily a good teacher. It takes a special talent, skill and
knowledge to train welders. This type of knowledge is power when
it comes to welding skill training or enhancement of
welding skill and Hobart Institute of Welding Technology is the
best power source available! Our capabilities are world
class!
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www.outsourcinginstitute.com
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