AWS Sees Bright Spot In Bleak Economy

Need for welding personnel may trump economic concerns.

By Ray Shook

In spite of the economic gloom, the American Welding Society (AWS) is cautiously optimistic for 2009. With our national transportation and energy infrastructures in great need of refurbishment and expansion, it is a great time for welding to rise to the forefront, even though we have a strong challenge in providing appropriately trained welding personnel.

Workforce Development
AWS and the AWS Foundation, in cooperation with several major equipment suppliers in the welding industry, are presently involved in a number of important workforce development initiatives to attract and train needed welding personnel. Our Solutions Opportunity Squad (SOS) is actively working with industry and educational institutions to turn out welders with the specific skills required. Our recently published Welding Career Guide has attracted attention nationwide, with more than 60,000 copies distributed to interested career-seekers.

Our Marvel Comics Iron Man comic book, released in conjunction with the Iron Man motion picture last May, has proven very popular with a young audience thinking about the future. This action comic touts welding as a viable and very desirable career path—one that a person can be proud of for many reasons—while also providing a good living and opportunities for job advancement. We have distributed more than 50,000 copies of this popular publication so far, with even broader distribution planned.

AWS and its industry partners have succeeded in securing a number of nationally known spokespeople for the welding industry and welding careers. Perhaps foremost in this effort are two Jay Leno videos highlighting opportunities in the welding field. (Both can be viewed on the AWS Web site, www.aws.org.) We partnered with The Lincoln Electric Co. to produce a new DVD on the importance of welding that features TV stars Jessi Combs of Extreme 4X4, Hot Rod Magazine's Builder-of-the-Year Troy Trepanier, and Two Guys Garage host Bryan Fuller.

Positive View of Certification
The demand for AWS Certified Welding Inspectors (CWIs), both domestically and internationally, is at an all-time high. Many welders realize that tough economic times signal a need to increase their qualifications, and they are doing that through AWS certification. Moreover, seminars relating to preparation for the CWI exam are in high demand. We have several new AWS certification programs in the works, including Certified Welding Sales Representative, to be launched in 2009.

AWS Membership
Individual membership in AWS is at an unprecedented high, topping 54,400, despite the uncertain economic outlook. This indicates that many are seeing beyond the immediate picture and recognizing the value of professional affiliations and credentials. Our D1.1 Structural Welding Code is enjoying strong sales, demonstrating the widely understood importance of building welded structures right the first time.

AWS has been working cooperatively with GAWDA to create a focused Welders-As-Members benefit package, the details of which are still under development. One idea is to get more welders involved in the industry by offering discounts for AWS members at leading welding distributor outlets. The opportunity here is strong. There are 500,000 welders in the United States. Of the 54,400 AWS members, less than eight percent (4,000) are welders. We very much appreciate the willingness of GAWDA to assist in this effort.

Tradeshow Initiatives
AWS believes that the continuing and growing success of the FABTECH International & AWS Welding Show, including METALFORM, is also a very positive sign for the economy in 2009. The 2008 show in Las Vegas attracted more than 21,000 attendees, and exhibitors were widely pleased with the audience from the U.S. and abroad who came to view and buy their products. We are also seeing growing interest in international exhibitions.

Overall Outlook for 2009
In sum, we see great opportunities in the year ahead, despite the uncertainty we are all facing on the economic front. AWS revenues in 2008 will be up some 20 percent over 2007, and we are planning for an additional 5 percent increase in 2009.

Perhaps more important, 2009 represents an especially positive climate in which our industry can make a difference—a chance to boost the economy significantly while building solid foundations for the future.

AWS extends its best wishes to all GAWDA members for a productive and prosperous 2009. We continue to look forward to working with you as friends and allies in ensuring the prosperity of our industry and improving the health of the U.S. economy.