by Andre' Odermatt 

One of the early publications by the Hobart Welding School was a 1942 textbook by W.J. Chaffee titled “Practical Arc Welding”.  It is dedicated to the “Man in the Helmet”.  That man was then and still is today a major factor in the economic development of our country and the world. To be politically correct, however, that dedication should be to the “Human in the Helmet”.  Our infrastructure including pipelines, bridges and tunnels, and our modes of travel by railroad, automobile, ship, bus and airplane, are a few examples that are unthinkable without the human in the helmet, who holds the world together!

Today, we have higher strength steel; new power source technology permits us to influence arc transfer characteristics to best fit a particular job; and new, more efficient welding processes including dedicated automatic machines or robots allow us to do work that wasn’t even conceivable when that textbook was written in 1942. This has all made the human in the helmet more productive.  But behind all this technology remains the human in the helmet who understands how a welding arc needs to be manipulated for a given application.

Welding remains the lowest cost, permanent method of joining all commercial metals. This is why welding is everywhere…in automobiles…space shuttles… furniture… bulldozers…coffeepots …breweries… buildings including skyscrapers, and in many more locations.  Arc welding however is considered a variable manufacturing process because the quality of the weld depends highly on the skill level of the operator.

State-of-the-art power sources and consumables are important, but what if the reject rate remains high because of weld defects?  Could it be that the human in the helmet was given new equipment and power sources but not the required training to enhance his skills?  This is where the Hobart Institute of Welding Technology has played an important role in the past and will continue to play an even more vital role in the future. 

As the economy dictates company belt-tightening, it becomes a good time for businesses to retrain their workforce.  Displaced workers should take advantage of the time off to enhance their skills.  Companies many times are repairing rather than replacing worn equipment.  Welders are needed for this work as well as for new construction.  The older workers are entering their retirement years.  Young people are needed and those just graduating from high school require further training to compete in today’s workplace.  Good jobs are available to those with the proper skills.  Proudly become the human in the helmet!  Help build tomorrow.  Contact the Hobart Institute today!