BECOME A WELDING TECHNOLOGIST

As a result of a Technical Advisory Committee formed approximately a year ago of local industry and educational personnel, it was determined that the need for Welding Technologists was strong in the community. This is an individual whose welding knowledge involves metallurgy, inspection, basic trouble shooting knowledge, welding skills, etc. The Edison Community College in Piqua, Ohio, and Hobart Institute of Welding Technology are collaborating to provide a well-rounded Welding Technologist associates degree. Nine credit hours will be conducted at HIWT in Troy to include: SMAW, GTAW, GMAW basic skill courses. This will amount to approximately two months of hands-on training, conducted during the days. The local market has numerous companies that incorporate welding in their manufacturing processes, ranging from manual to robotic. The community is definitely in need of Welding Technologists. With the focus being more on technology rather than just manual skill, the opportunities for advancement will be significant.

Phil Pratt, President of the Hobart Institute of Welding Technology, sits on the ECC Advisory Committee. In addition, he is a member of the American Welding Society Education Committee as well as the Image of Welding Committee. In his position, he's very aware of the huge gap between job openings and the supply of welders. "This issue is only going to get worse," according to Pratt. "With the average age of the tradesman being 54, one could easily extrapolate that nearly half the senior welders will be retiring in the next decade." Furthermore, welders can capture some good paying jobs. The average pay ranges between $30,000 and $54,000 annually, with some jobs exceeding $80,000 to $100,000. "The Welding Technology associate degree should be very attractive to motivated individuals," Pratt says.

The Hobart Institute of Welding Technology has trained some 84,0000+ welders in its 72-year history. It operates as an independent, nonprofit charitable organization and is accredited by the Accredited Commission of Career Schools and Colleges of Technology, a division of the U.S. Department of Education. While students enrolled in the ECC welding technologist program will receive their skill training at the Hobart Institute, those individuals who can "test out" by proving their welding skills gained through former corporate or educational experience, will receive credit automatically. Students for vocational schools should find this attractive.