April is National Welding Month

Welders create the world around us. National Welding Month is the perfect opportunity to spotlight this growing profession.

Welders are in short supply in today’s economy, but it hasn’t always been that way. The decline began in the 1980s, when there became a reduced need for welders. However, with the increase in domestic manufacturing, there is a strong demand for trained welders.

Industry experts estimate that there will be a shortage of 400,000 welders by the year 2025. More skilled welders are retiring and there has been a drop in younger generations entering the trade. Many aren’t aware that welders can make a stable income. They are also unaware of the job security that exists now.

Less than 5% of welders are women, according to the Department of Labor. By targeting more women, there is a possibility of expanding the labor force, as well as increasing diversity.

With the increased emphasis on STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) classes, especially for girls, younger workers will be drawn to the industry. Involving more girls in these activities is a great way to get them interested in the welding trade.

According to American Welding Society President David McQuaid, “Welding is an essential part of everyday life. From cars to high rise office buildings, airplanes to rockets, pipelines to highways, none of it would be possible without welding.”

Read more about National Welding Month here.