Praxair launches workforce development program

Praxair Inc. has launched a Skills Pipeline program, a multifaceted approach to help address the growing need for skilled workers in today’s global economy. The first phase of the program will provide more than $300,000 to train 100 new welders in an accelerated one-year curriculum in Louisiana.

This program is the most recent example of Praxair’s commitment to advancing STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) education. Funded by the company’s Global Giving Program and conducted in cooperation with the Louisiana Community and Technical College System (LCTCS), the program will be offered through Baton Rouge Community College, Delgado Community College, and SOWELA Technical Community College. Scheduled to begin in September, the program also provides funding for new instructorships and professional development opportunities for existing welders.

The scholarships will provide students access to an accelerated AWS SENSE curriculum as well as career-readiness content from Praxair. Courses in the AWS curriculum include:

• Shielded metal arc welding (SMAW)
• Gas metal arc welding (GMAW)
• Flux-cored arc welding (FCAW)
• Gas tungsten arc welding (GTAW)
• Manual oxyfuel gas cutting (OFC)
• Mechanized oxyfuel gas cutting (OFC)
• Manual plasma arc cutting (PAC)
• Manual air carbon arc cutting (CAC-A)

In November 2013, the company announced it would fund approximately $200,000 in scholarships over five years for AWS and SkillsUSA. These scholarships support the education and hands-on training of student welders in the U.S.