By André A. Odermatt

When I entered the workforce many years ago, it was not uncommon to find lifetime employment. At age 30, I had my third job, which became my lifetime job.  According to a 2001 survey of 32-year-old workers, the average number of jobs held was 8.6.  It is probably safe to assume that this number has increased by today, rather then decreased. Due to several change factors and trends, lifetime employment in today’s business world is nearly nonexistent. This change requires that individuals must assume the responsibility to assure that they are employable throughout their lives. Lifetime employment has changed to lifetime employability. This means individuals need to manage their own economic security.   Due to the special skills welders possess and the increasing shortage of welders, this can be easier for a welder than for many other professions. 

The U.S. Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics, has published reading and math statistics for school year 2005 with 47 states participating.  In reading, 32 states show a lower percentage of students scoring at or above the proficient level at 8^th grade than when the test was given to 4^th graders.  In math, 31 states show a lower percentage of students scoring at or above the proficient level at 8^th grade, than when the test was given to 4^th graders. 

Does this mean that as students progress through school, many become less capable to pass required tests?  In 2004, based on available data, only 53% of high school students took upper level mathematics courses and only 31% took upper level science courses.  To top this off, in 1992-93 the nationwide average high school graduation rate was only 69% and it was only 69% again ten years later, in 2001-02. 

The country needs “knowledge workers”, using the words coined by Peter Drukker over 40 years ago in his book, Landmarks of Tomorrow. It needs scientists and engineers but also a highly skilled labor force and I hope Peter Drukker would forgive me if I would argue that a welder is also a “knowledge worker”. First, he gains knowledge through systematic training.  Then he applies this knowledge with every weld he makes.

The news media is reporting frequently about the shortage of skilled labor facing the manufacturers in this country. Hobart Institute of Welding Technology had a 100% job placement rate during the last school year.  Job openings for welders are placed almost daily on our web site. The shortage is here…it is real!

To be a good welder means lifetime employability. There is an old saying “A good welder never goes hungry”. To become a good welder means vigorous training that can be obtained from HIWT. Insufficient basic education makes training more difficult, though not impossible.  It is never to late to gain new knowledge.  It can also mean having the skills necessary to start your own business which tends to be easier for welders than for those in many other professions. 

To me, the statistics from the U.S. Department of Education are frightening. We live in a competitive world and if anyone has a doubt about this, I recommend reading the book The World Is Flat by Thomas L. Friedman. Are we heading for big trouble because of the education levels in this country vis-à-vis other industrialized nations and up-coming industrialized nations are lagging behind?  What do you think?  Provide us with your comments.