President of American Welding Society Gives Talk to Students

Dean Wilson, president of the American Welding Society, looks like a typical welder. He says that welding students today have a lot of opportunities after they graduate. During his talk at the William D. Ford Career Technical Center, he said that there will be a large hole to fill in the field in the next 15 years when the students are within their 30s. They will be leading the industry at a young age.

Wilson talked about the job opportunities in the welding industry as well as the changes that AWS is making to meet the needs of future welders. The AWS is trying to incorporate online learning opportunities for students to earn their certifications and build records that contain their work data as well as resume.

When the AWS has the resume of the welder, they can pair the work experience with a business that requires a welder. The AWS will be doing the job matching as well as an educational partner. That way, the organization can help welders from recruitment up to their retirement.

Wilson said that in 2021, there will be around 200,000 welding jobs and when Baby Boomers will start to retire, the numbers will go up four times. Students said that the talk made them interested in welding for a living. Some said that the portfolio part appeals to them.

Rya Bark, a second year student in the welding program, said that she became interested in the program when she visited the center for a demonstration. Before the visit, she didn’t know anything about welding but once she saw it, she wanted to do it herself.

Welders make $18 to $22 an hour and they earn more once they gain more experience. Deep sea welders earn as much as $50 an hour. The talk that Wilson gave the students get them excited about pursuing a career in welding.

Photo from the American Welding Society,  visit them and learn more