IMAGE BEGINS WITH TRAINING AND CERTIFICATION

By Biaggio Giordano, Jr.

Welding Instructor

Parkside High School CTE

Salisbury, MD

I would like to tell you about the great job you have done with the "Image Army" segment of your publication.  I enjoy reading about how many people have come together to promote welding and advanced weld training.  It is apparent that HIWT has been a model for many of us in the trade.

I now teach welding in the same school system that I was taught in, and had the honor of taking over from my instructor Mr. Farlow. I also had the distinction of teaching my son to weld during his high school years, and he honored me with 2nd place finishes in both the AWS and VICA State competition. He is now employed building new construction aircraft carriers and submarines for a government contractor in VA.

My path to this point has been long, and the tale of the traveling Iron Workers brought back many memories.  My high school education took me to a ship repair facility in Guam, Nuclear Power plants in California, and Florida, and finally to a Community College that offered a degree in welding science located in the town where I was living in VA.  I graduated and spent the next few years as a pipe welder and consultant. All the time I made fair and honest wages.  I did not get rich, but I kept learning and working.

So my point is that if you want to make the "BIG MONEY" then keep current in your weld training and seek employers willing to pay for your skills.  Understand that 10% of the welders make 90% of the money, so put yourself in that 10% by learning and becoming a precision welder with all the processes you can.  I recommend to all my students to attend HIWT, or related schools.  And now I am reaping the rewards of having current divers, welders, and pipe fitters come to my class and explain how it is all worth it. We have adopted the AWS introductory level welder program and are now graduating certified welders from our facility.

Unfortunately many employers today are not accustomed to having a student who is proficient in these certifications and do not utilize them to their fullest advantage.  However many of the "Upper End" businesses do and are grabbing them up as quick as they graduate.  Offering free college and training or apprenticeship, or both, these facilities are still hurting for good employees.  Guidance departments in the past sent only “momma’s best” to us in the early years, but with the help of schools like HIWT, we can change that.  National certification should be seen for what it is to the employer and separate the welders from the rod burners.  Naturally these certified welders should be in the upper 10% of the wage earners.

Through the years I have tried to get more welders trained and better paid. I have tried to provide welders to the trade who are well trained and ready for the job site.  Not making the wages you want? Look at where you are at with your certification and training.  Thank you for allowing me to share with you my "Image Welding " story.

For advanced training and AWS National Welder Certification, contact the Hobart Institute of Welding Technology at 1-800-332-9448, ext. 5215 or visit the web site at http://www.welding.org