In fact, the American Welding Society estimates there will be a shortage of , welding professionals by That was one of the facts revealed in a story published recently by Bloomberg Businessweek. It looked at the growing demand for welders and how the profession is now a great opportunity for young people who would like to learn a skilled trade. Since the recession ended in , manufacturing has grown faster than the rest of the U.
For the first time in nearly 50 years, manufacturers have added jobs four years in a row. This growth is further fueled by the oil and gas boom. But, there are some working conditions where automation is not possible and the agility of human welders will always be in demand.
Beyond that, there will be an increase in demand for individuals with knowledge of welding materials and welding skills to support the development and application of connected technologies, robotics, digital solutions, and automation. While automation can improve human efforts, it cannot necessarily replace them. The United States is facing an increase in concern about its aging infrastructure. From water and energy pipelines to bridges and overpasses, welders will be needed to repair, restore, and replace many elements that support our daily lives.
As government initiatives turn toward fixing the crumbling infrastructure, welding jobs will be created and sustained. One of the best things about welding is that there are a number of different jobs and careers to choose from.
While some of them are higher paying than others, they are all pretty exciting. Ships require watertight joints and welding is the most effective way to fuse two pieces of metal together to achieve that result.
Welders working in this field may be employed in shipyards or they may travel from port to port to inspect and repair ships as they are docked. Cars are mostly made of metal and welders play an important role in the maintenance and repair of motor vehicles.
Underwater welding is not for the faint of heart. This is a high-risk position and as such, also carries some of the highest compensation rates.
Underwater welds may occur offshore at great depths, near shore in shallower waters, or in dry conditions produced by a hyperbaric chamber. Underwater welders can be found working offshore oil rigs, dams, bridges, ships, pipelines, sub-sea habitats, and nuclear power facilities.
In most instances, rig welders remain onsite for the duration of the job to perform any required repairs or maintenance. They may also be tasked with welding collars and pipes as needed. Welding jobs are very common in the construction industry.
Many construction projects use metal in their processes. Commercial and residential construction provide a range of different opportunities because the needs of each vary widely.
Welders in residential construction often work with the piping that carries gas and water to and from the house. These welders will also need to understand plumbing to ensure that all lines are properly routed. In commercial jobs, welders will have to deal with more complex plumbing infrastructure, electrical conduits, and HVAC systems.
Welding skills, combined with mechanical knowledge, can lead to a job working in a custom shop building hot rods and rat rods, performing restorations, or tricking out cars to client specifications. If you have an eye for detail or like intricate work, this may be the right welding job for you. Jeweler design and repair requires weldings to work with soft metals to fabricate, resize, and repurpose jewelry pieces and produce ornate results.
Boilermakers are specialized welders that build, install and repair boilers or large-scale containers that are made to hold liquids or gases.
This job can be physically demanding as welders are often working in tight spaces with high humidity levels and temperatures. Boilermakers are most often found in refineries or at natural resource companies.
But, they can also be found working on the manufacture or repair of air pollution equipment, blast furnaces, water treatment plants, process and storage tanks, and smokestacks. For industries that rely on heavy machinery and equipment to carry out operations, it is not unusual to experience damage, wear and tear, and breakdowns. Industrial maintenance workers look after the machines and equipment to ensure that everything remains functional and that small repairs are performed to prevent catastrophic failure.
Industrial maintenance workers try to prevent shutdowns and maintain operations. Industrial shutdown workers perform repairs and maintenance on equipment that has been taken offline. With some equipment, it would be impossible to perform repairs while in operation.
These welders work quickly to perform repairs and get things back to running. With welders in growing demand, it is likely that if you have the right skills, you will have no trouble finding work. But, to help increase your chances for success, here are a few suggestions.
Welding careers cover a range of jobs and industries. Do not limit yourself to what you think you know about welding. Explore a number of career opportunities and job postings. If you are willing to travel or work long hours, there are even more opportunities available. Enjoy full access to the digital edition of The Additive Report to learn how to use additive manufacturing technology to increase operational efficiency and improve the bottom line.
Not yet registered? Sign up. Our Sites. Categories Additive Manufacturing. Aluminum Welding. Assembly and Joining. Automation and Robotics. Cutting and Weld Prep. Electric Vehicles. Manufacturing Software. Materials Handling. Oxyfuel Cutting. Punching and Other Holemaking. Shop Management. Testing and Measuring. Tube and Pipe Fabrication. Tube and Pipe Production. Waterjet Cutting. Buyers' Guides.
Digital Edition. Our Publications. About the Author. Josh Welton Owner. Brown Dog Welding. About the Publication.
0コメント