When I attended High School in the early 70's I was given an option to attend the vocational school in our county system, or take French, so I elected for the vocational route. My first choice was not welding but cosmetology, as a young man 16 years old I was not thinking of the future just of today and did not realize I would one day be bald. Wizer heads prevailed and my father had a friend who was a welder, and I grew up on a farm with a man across the field who had a welding machine so I made the choice to follow the trade. That choice made my entire future, and gave me a most excellent life with a wife who also was a tradesman.
Today though as a welding teacher in the public school system I am seeing a decline in trade related subjects and some districts even eliminating the vocational "Hands On" instruction in the construction group. I think that anyone who has taught someone else how to weld knows that there is no replacement for a structured method of learning, and that the trade takes a very long time to learn. A student may graduate with qualification in numerous processes, and invest 900 plus hours just learning those procedures but that it takes another 5 years to learn the job. In my case I was able to gain an entry level job at PERDUE farms as a millwright, earning above average wages for a man of my age. When I entered the US NAVY that training in school was an asset and I was able to become an HT, working on a dry dock in Guam. Upon discharge, my wife and I, who was a drafts person learning the trade in HS also, secured employment in the nuclear industry, all because of our High School education.
In my area alone there are only two surviving programs, and the need for welders in very good and the supply very low. This is a double edge sword though with so many looking and so few available, entry level wages are very competitive. Within a two and half hour drive is the Norfolk Navy base and Newport News shipbuilding, with not just jobs but careers. So why would we be seeing a decline in the welding trade? We all know that the image of welding is that of dirty and dark to most people, they have no real ideal what it takes to set up, program and run a orbital pipe welder or plasma table.
April is welding month and I think we should make a big push during that time to exploit the trade and it's benefits to young people willing to learn and earn. Maybe each section could contact the Governors office to declare April "Welding Month" and get some exposure. Local trade unions and non union contractors could possibly attend a school board meeting and explain that the education the student receives in High School goes a long way in their future. I am proud to say that my county understands the importance of welding and supports my program both with dollars and with support allowing me to give the students a "Leg up" if you will. Just my thought as I see things developing around me in the front line of vocational education.