AWS using new approach to find next generation of welders

Did you know more than 140,000 new welders will be needed by 2019? Neither did I. The American Welding Society says many welders in the United States are approaching retirement age, and they’re expecting a bump in demand from industries across the spectrum.

To pique interest in the field, AWS helped the Boy Scouts of America establish a welding merit badge, according to this Chicago Tribune article. In addition to serving the long-time BSA motto “be prepared,” AWS is hoping some scouts will view welding as a career opportunity, even though some were not immediately enamored with the high heat and often long process involved. However, in a field where the average age is 55, any recruiting technique is a positive thing.