AN ESSEN OPPORTUNITY

By Hagan G. Riviere
Welding Instructor
McFatter Technical Welding Center
Florida

Hagan G. Riviere's welding career that has spanned over three decades is, in itself, fascinating. Always involved in welding, Mr. Riviere began his formal studies in Ontario, Canada, in 1974. He taught welding for Conestoga College in Waterloo, Ontario for five years and then taught welding for two and one-half years for the Canadian University Services Overseas (CUSO) in Tanzania and East Africa.

"The CUSO is an equivalent to the Peace Corps," says Mr. Riviere.

Since that time, he has instructed welders for Airco Technical Institute in Cleveland, Ohio, taught at the Florida Keys Community College in Key West, and for the past 20 years has been teaching the State of Florida's welding curriculum in Broward County, at William T. McFatter Technical Center, Davie, FL. He is an executive board member for the American Welding Society in South Florida.

It was a great surprise to have received an invitation from Schweissen und Schneiden / Deutscher Verband fur Schweisstechnik (DVS) to the world's greatest trade show. With enthusiasm, I wasted no time speaking with my principal, Mr. D. R. Boegli, who endorsed my request with equal zeal. Accompanying me on the trip to Essen, Germany was my wife, Ruthie, whose love and understanding facilitated our departure.

Our arrival and train ride was no surprise to me, as it was my second visit to Deutschland [Germany]. We arrived one day before the show. We decided to have a quick bite to eat and then see the town of Essen. Our first stop was at the Essen Tourist Bureau. Their courtesy and delightful mannerisms were very conspicuous. We encountered several other visitors inquiring about the availability of hotels. Much to their disappointment, there was not one hotel room available from Dortmund to Essen.

On opening day, I hurried with excitement to be one of the first at the door, but I realized I was not the only welding enthusiast who was overwhelmed with excitement. Traveling to Essen Messer, sitting next to three gentlemen who obviously were part of the welding culture, kept us amused with refined Deutsche humor. Courteous obligation dictated it was time to tell them about my welding program back at McFatter Technical Welding Center. I explained the course outline in detail, even the 1600 clock hours required by the State of Florida, then concluded by saying that upon completion, the student is totally capable of welding as well as or even better than the current welders on the job. The response was "charmingly negative" because I did not seem to recognize the apprenticeship program which is, in some parts of Europe, the prerequisite for the reward of a journeyman title.

During my oratory interlude, my audience seemed spellbound by my theory. Only at steady intervals, a faint but audible whisper in their local vernacular came from his friend, and that feeling of vulnerability came over me because of my inability to "sprechen sie Deutsche" or respond effectively to every whisper.

Registration at the trade show was slightly different from that of the American Welding Society. The Deutscher Verband Fur Schweisstechnik (DVS) or German Welding Society did not require an identification card or tag. Admission was simply by paying the entrance fee or presenting the invitation card.

I entered the pavilion with panache and grace. The scenery had already set the ambiance for its magnificence and aura of grandeur. The enormity of this place had me totally consumed with industrial ecstasy. I told my addled mind, "I am like a kid in a candy store!"

In the process of walking through the exhibits, I must have counted sixteen sections and each section had endless vendors, whose eyes were scanning the massive crowds to offer an invitation and a stalwart welcome to their booth. I found myself trying to cover as much ground as possible.

Almost every section was immensely characterized with the GMAW process and its paraphernalia. I also realized that all of the welding machines were condensed to a fraction of their original size yet carried a much bigger payload. I guess tenured welders will have to get used to machines that are not as cumbersome and bulky. Shielded metal arc welding seemed to have taken a back seat, even though its presence was still prevalent, but the emphasis was on gas metal arc and gas tungsten arc welding. Electrodes, MIG guns, TIG torches, fluxes, welding gloves, helmets of the peculiar but appealing type, and every conceivable concept of accessory from around the world played a part in this magnificent gala. The intricate laser cutting of stainless steel with the precision of a needle was fascinating and that equipment was comparable to none.

I brought back to Florida a wealth of knowledge, information, video tapes, and questions. Will welders be replaced by robotics? Will manual dexterity be a rare commodity in the future? The immense intuitive drive, high quality of consciousness, and intense need to remain ahead in today's industry is the basic principle and driving force of McFatter's director and staff which, of course, allows the instructors exposure and access to such events.

Mr. Riviere expresses his thanks to William T. McFatter Technical Center's director and staff that allow the instructors exposure to such events. To all the delightful people who helped so diligently and to the kind people of Germany, "Auf Wiedersehn."