Pier 3 Condo

Experts are predicting a large shortage of manufacturing workers everywhere. Many companies have already reported they are having difficulty finding welders. The American Welding Society predicts that by 2010, the demand for skilled welders in the United States alone will be 200,000.

In trying economic times, job security and demand are becoming a priority for those seeking new career opportunities. Many companies are offering scholarships, bonuses, and salaries on par with those of newly graduated engineers. It appears that newly certified welders will almost certainly enjoy guaranteed job placement.

Skilled welders are in extreme demand and they can thus demand a highly competitive salary. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, median hourly earnings of welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers were $16.72 in May 2008. The middle 50% earned between $14.90 and $21.05. The range of earnings of welders reflects the wide range of skill levels. In addition, many welders are asked to join a union, which brings benefits and security to the workers.

Training to become a welder can take time. The training time, depending on the skill being acquired, can last from a few weeks to years. The best formal training is generally found in vocational-technical institutions that specialize in welding, like Oklahoma Technical College in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

Some welders become certified, a process that usually begins with enrolling in an institution, such as an independent testing lab, equipment manufacturer, or technical school. A certification is your passport to more demanding and better paying jobs. The more certificates you earn the better. A good collection of certificates, along with documented experience, lead to supervisory positions with more responsibility and higher pay.

If you are considering selecting a career for life, now is the right time to grab the opportunity to become part of the large welding family. For more information on a career in welding, contact your local welding college.