A new spin on an old debate

Manufacturing—and by extension welding and welding education—faces some significant challenges.

The need to attract young people and to change negative perceptions certainly isn’t new, but after spending three days at The FABRICATOR®’s Leadership Summit in Orlando in late February, business consultants, community and technical college leaders and educators, and business owners shed some light on a well-publicized subject.

We already know that the perception of manufacturing, training, and careers need a serious overhaul to attract new-generation workers. And many of us have probably uttered the phrase “College isn’t for everyone,” when discussing the merits of technical training. But during a panel discussion titled “Demystifying Relationships – Manufacturers & Educators,” session leader Nick Graff, director of the Advanced Technology Center at Anoka Technical College, Anoka, Minn., passionately refuted that statement and indicated that sentiments like that are part of the problem.

“I am so sick of hearing that. We are a college, and we want the best and brightest,” Graff exclaimed.

He’s absolutely correct. Manufacturing and its feeder programs like community colleges and technical colleges should aggressively pursue and recruit the best and brightest as early as possible. But reaching the best and brightest is difficult for many reasons.

First, just getting middle schools and high schools in the door to tour community and technical college facilities is an uphill climb. Dr. Marilyn Barger, executive director of Florida Advanced Technological Education (FLATE) Center at Hillsborough Community College, Tampa, Fla., commented during the session that schools today are so tightly prescribed that they sometimes need a year’s notice to include a visit on the schedule. Many times, she continued, it’s easier for schools to say no than it is to say yes. And, at the end of the day, if the measure of a successful high school is how many of its graduates attend college, saying no becomes that much easier. Second, are parents and guidance counselors steering the best and brightest toward four-year colleges? Even though organizations like the American Welding Society; SME; and the Fabricators & Manufacturers Association Intl., founders of Manufacturing Day, are making progress, there’s still a ways to go.

What does all of this mean? Well, from my vantage point, it means that present-day welding educators have their hands full. Not only are they charged with teaching students the trade, they must also come up with strategies to reach out to local middle and high schools, including parents and guidance counselors. They must ensure that their facilities are equipped properly and that their curriculum is current. And they must find ways to partner with local industry to make sure their students’ skill sets match what is needed.

On top of everything, many times instructors must teach soft skills—good work ethic, responsibility, accountability, and how to conduct oneself in a professional manner. In fact, the need for soft skills came up repeatedly during the panel discussion and attendee roundtable sessions. One attendee said he loses 40 percent of his welders during pre-employment drug screenings. Forty percent! Welding instructors are fighting a multifaceted battle from the front lines and deserve recognition for their efforts.

Practical Welding Today® needs your help to identify our next PWTeacher of the Year for 2015. The ideal candidate is someone who actively reaches out to the community to promote and recruit on behalf of the welding industry; uses his or her welding program to assist and serve the community; employs unique teaching methods; partners with local industrial companies to ensure students’ skill sets address local needs; and ensures the safety of students at all times.

E-mail your nomination to amandac@thefabricator.com. Be sure to include a detailed statement as to why the individual you are nominating is deserving of the award. The deadline to submit your nomination is May 1. The winner will be featured on the cover of the July/August issue.