By: Phil Pratt

When my brother's alarm clock (MADE IN JAPAN) went off at 6:15AM, he went down and started the coffeepot (MADE IN CHINA). Next he shaved with his razor (MADE IN HONG KONG) and put on a dress shirt (MADE IN SRI LANKA) and some designer jeans (MADE IN SINGAPORE) and tennis shoes (MADE IN KOREA). After cooking his breakfast in an electric skillet (MADE IN INDIA), he sat down with a calculator (MADE IN MEXICO) to see how much he could spend today. After setting his watch (MADE IN TAIWAN), to the radio (MADE IN INDIA), he got in his car (MADE IN GERMANY) and continued his search for a good paying AMERICAN JOB. At the end of yet another discouraging and fruitless day, he decided to relax for a while. He put on his sandals (MADE IN BRAZIL), poured himself a glass of wine (MADE IN FRANCE) and turned on his television (MADE IN INDONESIA), and then wondered why he can't find a good paying job in AMERICA. [Author Unknown]

This scenario came across my computer's email some months ago but its message, while sobering, should also be a warning. There's no question that within the last century, this world has shrunk immensely with mass communications, air travel, computers, improved shipping lanes, etc. We have no one but ourselves to blame for the above state of affairs here in America because in our quest for an improved quality of life, our wages have typically increased accordingly. In order to continue to manufacture affordable products, other countries have capitalized on these opportunities as they also seek a better standard of living. Fortunately, through invention and productivity efficiencies, America has maintained some key sectors of the manufacturing base and this is due to being able to stay competitive. I've always said, "Competition is good. It keeps one sharper, more focused."

One of the key elements to being competitive has been America's healthy, well-educated, highly skilled workforce goes a long way towards achieving this objective. America has been fortunate in maintaining such for some time, but will it last? With the average age of the skilled tradesman being in the mid-fifties, how much longer do we have? I don't mean to be a naysayer of doom and gloom, but let's get real here, folks. In a recent conference where a large room was filled with seasoned welding professionals, the question was posed to them as to how many of their own children were currently in or preparing for the welding trade. Less than 10%-15% raised their hands. It's not just welding; all of the trades seem to be hurting. We've done a poor job attracting people to them.

In the last couple of issues of The World of Welding, I've been focusing on this concern regarding getting more people into the trades. Congress granted billions of dollars to the Carl Perkins Act to be used in vocational education, but when a school board has to decide between funding computers or welding power sources, they look at the student interest or demand and hence, welding dollars are minimal. So, it's a "Catch 22." Until we make the welding trade more attractive, we won't see major funding and until we see funding, how can we make it more attractive?

This is why I'm concentrating on The Image of Welding. If we can improve the image, the dollars will follow. This is also why our call to action is: JOIN THE IMAGE ARMY! I welcome Mr. Rick Stein (see "Letters to Editor" in this issue) to the Image Army. As a welding instructor at the Center of Applied Technology North in Severn, MD, he invites a variety of speakers, from welding engineers to underwater welders, to visit his classroom.

Mr. A.R. Rock and Mr. Stephen Barren are a welding instructor and an aide in the New York and Virginia penal systems respectively. I welcome them to the Image Army as their letters to me were filled with the pride and respect that they obviously instill in their students. Mr. Rock told about one "star student" who, upon parole, got a welding job instantly, completed his college education, became a site foreman and is making about $50 an hour. As Mr. Rock said, "He's my STAR and he's made me feel like I have really accomplished something." Congratulations to you both on a job well done!

In the SkillsUSA Partners in Quality Spring 2002 newsletter, an article entitled "Student Mentoring Shifts Into High Gear" caught my attention. It spoke of a recent open house at the Dehryl A. Dennis Professional Technical Education Center (P-TEC) in Boise, ID. More than 350 local sixth-grade students were guest where the SkillsUSA students served as team leaders and tour guides as they talked about their career options and lead them through some hands-on demonstrations. I'm adding this idea to the "Join the Image Army" arsenal. It has been so successful there, that the one-on-one mentoring event has lead to the development of a mentoring summer camp for younger students and welding is one of the career paths mentioned.

Speaking of SkillsUSA-VICA, the welding technical committee is gearing up again for the nationals in June. When you think of all the international medalist this committee's protégés have won over the past decade or so and all the hard work their vocational instructors devoted to these individuals, such national attention and pride is definitely a positive contribution to the Image of Welding. Welcome technical committee and instructors to the Image Army.

I'm going to end with some great news! The American Welding Society Education Committee met for two days during the March AWS Show and had super-charged, energy-packed sessions. Dennis Klingman, Manager of Technical Training for Lincoln Electric, someone I greatly respect for his ideas, commitment and hard work, is taking over as the new Education Committee Chairman. He is replacing Bob Teuscher, of U.S. Welding in Denver, CO, who has chaired this committee for several years and has managed it to the current level of excellence. Furthermore, AWS has appointed James Key, formerly President of the AWS, to be a liaison to Washington, DC and he is interfacing with both the Education Committee and myself as we focus on the Image of Welding cause. Maybe we can get some funding so we can reverse that "Catch 22" and start improving the image.

We need your help! Start joining the Image Army by sending in creative ideas of constructive, successful image building campaigns.