In the recent years, qualified and certified welders have become some of the most demanded professionals within the industrial sector worldwide. In fact, according to de American Welding Society, the welding industry will face a shortage of around 400,000 skilled operators by 2024.
Welding fits perfectly with people who like manual works, who are mechanically driven, meticulous and precise and, above all, with those who enjoy taking part in the tangible creation of a building, project or structure.
Here are three good reasons to start a career in the welding industry and become a certified welder:
1.- No previous degree required
Anyone can start a welding career and become a certified welder in about 7-9 months. It is all about skills training, no college degree is required.
Employers are struggling to find enough qualified applicants, so that in most companies, welders are asked to pass a hands-on welding test.
Welders can get certified different training and qualification programs, the most extended: International Welder (European Welding Federation) on Sense Program (American Welding Society).
2.- Different career opportunities
Welding is a career that offers many more different opportunities than other choices to work in and advance professionally in a growing field. Especially for those professionals with the right training and skills, that is, for qualified and certified welders.
Almost every industry need career welders in fields like: inspection, engineering, sales, project management, robotics and education.
3.- Interesting places to work
• General industry. Manufacturing plants maintenance and shutdowns.
• Pipeline installation and repair projects.
• Naval industry. Ship building and repair, both on-board and off-shore.
• Underwater-welding. For new construction and repairs at the bottom of the sea or the ocean.
• Space industry and outer space.
• Motor Sports. Racing teams hire welders to work with their engineers.
• Military industry. Providing support to repair military equipment and build structures.
The future of welding is full of possibilities for those technically driven since the industry is developing new technologies to train new recruits and help increase productivity in a more efficient and sustainable way.
Those technologies include virtual and augmented reality welding training solutions, which are becoming more and more popular.
Sources:
http://www.businessinsider.com/the-welding-industry-is-facing-a-big-labor-shortage-2015-7
https://www.advanced.edu/five-reasons-to-consider-a-career-in-welding/
http://www.gowelding.org/articles/facts-about-career-welding/
