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Construction and manufacturing in America are starting to bounce back following the recession of 2008 and that’s good news for the country’s professional welders as the welding industry is experiencing rapid growth. Welders are in high demand across the nation. From infrastructure projects – such as bridges and railroads – to construction of new homes, welders are in high demand all across the country. Welding companies are looking to hire more welders, but they are looking for those with professional training, especially those who have received training from a respected program, like the one at Advanced Career Institute. New technology and techniques are also in use in today’s welding sector, and that means new welders are needed that have relevant training and experience. Welders play an important part in today’s economy, especially as the construction sector is such a crucial part of America’s economic recovery. A growing economy often means new construction and revitalization projects, but in some places a lack of qualified workers, particularly in the welding industry, is stunting potential growth. The demand for professional welders is high and many companies are finding it hard to meet this demand due to a lack of qualified workers. If you are looking for a new career and welding sounds like it might be a good fit then completing the welding training program at the Advanced Career Institute would be a great place to start. Not only would you be setting yourself up for a stable and good paying career as a professional welder, but you would be providing a valuable service to the nation as a lack of welders is hurting America’s ability to achieve a full economic recovery. The Advanced Career Institute’s welding program gives students professional instruction in the skills and procedures necessary in the welding industry. Students of the program are also prepared to obtain American Welding Society (AWS) welder performance certification and are often at the front of the line for some of the best welding jobs in the area. The welding program is designed to provide entry level training and practical skills in Oxy-Acetylene cutting and brazing, SMAW (Arc), GMAW (MIG), FCAW (Flux Core) and GTAW (TIG) in ferrous and non ferrous metals, including purge welding of sanitary process pipe. In addition to preparing students for AWS welder performance certifications students will also learn shop and site safety practices, blue print reading, principles of metallurgy, construction math, hand and power tool usage and basic layout techniques used in the fabrication industry. Now would be a great time to enter this growing career field as the demand for professional welders with relevant training is as high as its ever been. America’s best welding jobs are going to workers with professional training, especially those who have been educated in many of the new technology and techniques being used in the industry today.

The demand for welding professionals is as high as it’s ever been as numerous companies say they are having a hard time meeting demand. Part of the shortage stems from the fact that the economy is rebounding and construction projects are increasing. But there is also a shortage of welders because fewer people are entering the profession. There have been many reasons given for the drop in students who choose to study welding, but several economists have theorized that the growth of computer technology and careers in that field has contributed to the drop off. Also, some economists believe there is a misconception among many that welding is not an exciting or well-paying career. However, that’s simply not true. Workers with professional training in welding and advanced welding technologies regularly enter the workforce with a higher starting pay than the national average. The shortage of experienced welders is leading many companies to raise salaries in hopes of attracting the best welders, and many welding positions come with excellent benefit packages. As for the job being less than exciting, nothing could be further from the truth. Welders work in a variety of settings, ranging from construction sites to oil rigs. Welders must also be trained in a variety of techniques, including Oxy-Acetylene cutting and brazing, SMAW (Arc), GMAW (MIG) and FCAW (Flux Core) in ferrous metals. It wouldn’t be accurate to call welding a “dangerous” job, but it does require a close attention to safety procedures. Professionally trained welders are able to safely perform their duties while on the job site. The Advanced Career Institute’s welder training program prepares students to enter this in-demand profession and be able to quickly gain work at companies looking to keep up with rising demand. Students who complete the welder training program are able to enter the welding profession and work in general purpose machinery manufacturing, agriculture/construction/mining machinery manufacturing, commercial and industrial machinery and equipment repair/maintenance, architectural and structural metals manufacturing, motor vehicle body and trailer manufacturing. Students are also prepared to obtain American Welding Society (AWS) welder performance certification. The drop in welding interest might have also taken place because those that enjoy problem solving and working with math believed they could better find those characteristics in a computer based profession. However, welders are required to read site blueprints, understand construction math and solve problems on a job site. Plus, welders are not stuck performing these tasks from behind a desk. The welding industry can offer job seekers a long-lasting and great paying career, especially if you are someone who enjoys using your hands, being outdoors and solving problems. If you are interested in a welding career the Advanced Career Institute can help you reach that goal.

Close to 500,000 school buses travel America’s roads each day and more than 2.3 billion gallons of fuel is saved each year in the process, according to an American School Bus Council Report. Over 25 million students ride on school buses each day and school buses are considered the safest way to travel to and from school. Thus, school buses play an important role in the nation's education. “The school bus industry has a long history of safely and reliably transporting children to and from school each day,” John McKinney, Vice President of Operations at International Truck and Engine Corporation and member of ASBC, said in a press release. “Importantly, however, school buses are also the most economical and environmentally-friendly way to transport students too.” If America’s school buses were shut down it would take over 17 million additional cars to transport children to school and an additional 62.4 billion miles of car travel, according to the ASBC. School buses play an important role in America’s education system each day by transporting kids to and from school. A career as a school bus driver is a noble and important profession, and the value of school bus drivers has school districts all across the country constantly searching for more drivers, especially those that have received professional training and can demonstrate a commitment to safety. The Advanced Career Institute’s school bus driver training program introduces the students to the procedures and skills found in the school bus driving industry while preparing each individual to obtain a Class B bus CDL with school bus certification and endorsements.

Michael Cross has worked as a school bus driver for over 20 years and has been the director of school bus driving departments at three different school districts. He says the demand for quality school bus drivers is large and each district he has worked for is constantly hiring more drivers. But, while a good career can be found as a professional school bus driver, Cross also says potential applicants should be aware that the job requires a certain type of person. “It’s a great job in terms of scheduling and being able to not have to work from behind a desk,” Cross said. “But it also requires some skill because driving a school bus isn’t just like driving your car.” Cross said the first piece of advice he would give a person considering a career as a school bus driver is to get some form of professional training. “Training is important because different situations come up all the time and trained drivers are much better at handling those situations,” Cross said. Cross also said a good school bus driver training program can better prepare drivers when it comes to vehicle care and maintenance. “It’s true that a lot of companies and schools have maintenance professionals,” Cross said, “but believe me, we are always interested in drivers that know how to take care of their bus because it helps everyone out.” Cross said school bus drivers are more than chauffeurs but also act as “teachers.” “We encourage our bus drivers to interact with students, safely, of course, and there is a lot of problem solving on the job,” Cross said. “It’s not for everybody but a lot of people who have the right personality can be very successful and find a lot of enjoyment in (being a school bus driver).” The growth of school districts, new transportation regulations and the upcoming retirement of many current school bus drivers have created a great need for new drivers. A shortage of school bus drivers exists across the country but students of Advanced Career Institute’s school bus driver program are helping to meet the demand. The school bus driver program at Advanced prepares students to obtain Class B bus CDL with school bus certification and endorsements. Students are also taught the skills to operate a school bus safely and to provide proper care and maintenance for a school bus. “I really encourage people to consider this as a line of work and it’s something I have enjoyed doing for over 20 years,” Cross said. “If you can get some good training and experience behind the wheel of (a school bus) it can really put you ahead of the pack when looking for a job.”

Women are becoming key members of the welding profession. Now, welding requires both physical strength and knowledge of new technology and equipment. Because of the new technology, welding jobs are becoming more complex. The energy and health sectors, especially, need more welders. Lucky for us, women welders can meet these demands. One of our ACI graduates, Sheila Pruitt, shares her journey through her new welding career.

Where Sheila's Welding Career Started

Before becoming a welder, Sheila was an administrative assistant. About four years ago she decided to make a career change and become a professional welder. She has worked in Louisiana, Texas, and is now based in Oklahoma. Her decision to switch careers and become a trained welder is one of the best moves she has ever made. In talking about the welding job she has now, Sheila says: “There is a lot to love about this job and it’s much more than just doing grunt construction work,” Pruitt said. “It’s challenging work and can be demanding at times, but it is also something you can take a lot of pride in doing, which I was really lacking in my previous job as a secretary.”

Welder Training

Pruitt received formal welding training before starting her career as a professional welder. She believes this was crucial because many welding and construction companies are looking for workers that have thorough knowledge of the welding industry. Not only is Pruitt helping to meet the growing need for welders across the country, she is also a part of a growing number of women that are choosing welding as a career. Advanced Career Institute teaches both women and men through their welding program. Students will learn everything they need to know in order to obtain a welder certification. ACI students graduate with the skills necessary to become great job candidates, like Sheila Pruitt. Interested in our welding program and becoming a woman welder? Contact us today!

The National Association of Manufactures estimates that an additional 14 million welders will be needed by 2020 but the demand for professional welders is already great as baby boomers enter retirement and the amount of welding project grows. However, construction and welding companies are finding it hard to fill those vacant positions with the right type of worker. (more…)