The American Welding Society says the average age of a welder is 57, and by 2020 the AWS estimates there will be a 290,000 job deficit in the industry. There are more welders retiring each year than new welders coming into the industry. High schools are phasing out welding programs, kids are not going into welding after H.S. or they are going into other trades, and to top it off the economy and need for welders is booming throughout the country.
As of June 2018, in our area (150 miles around Fargo and Bismarck), there are over 300 welding positions available between 67 company locations, not including Staffing Agencies.
Employers, What Can You Do?
Get creative! Think about having us provide custom training for current
employees, think about tuition reimbursement options, (like diesel tech. and nursing programs) think about paying for a students welding gear, think about providing relocation assistance, etc.
- Send us a current Job Description or Flyer that we can post on our Job Posting Boards and Alumni Facebook Page
- Come take a tour of the schools and present to our students
- Invite us to bring our students to your facility for a tour (consider also interviewing and weld testing our students while they are there)
- Get involved in our hiring events (twice a year) and give us
feedback about our programs, students applying, and alumni who are working for you already
The more involved you are with our schools and students, the more they are going to consider joining your team over the other opportunities that they have
available!