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The Welder Shortage in Tishomingo County Mississippi (Iuka)I have heard and read about this "Welder Shortage" in Northeast Mississippi. I am not in with the "Industry Leaders" i n the area so I have to piece together small pieces of information related to the subject. The "shortage" is related to more industry moving in. One article in the local paper got my attention and I responded with a letter below. . If you would like to make a comment about this "Welder Shortage" feel free to make a comment below. You can also see the followup letter sent 15 April 08 that resulted in a local company indicating they would supply spaxe at the Yellow Creek turbine building.
There is NOT a welding program at the Tishomingo High School Vocational Center. There is a "Metal Trades" class that teaches welding as part of the metal trades. The shop could use some work. The curriculum in available as I saw the NCCER modules laying around. I reviewed these a few nights while I was taking the class. It is very well done. If followed it would produce some fine welders. I had found out from a friend that the Votech Center was going to offer "Welding Classes" next year. (2008-2009) . I sent a resume to the director. Haven't heard anything other than they are going to do it with the existing instructor. I also got word that the closest college was getting a "Mobile Welding Training Center"
Letter sent to the Tishomingo Paper regarding the statement about a 300 welder shortage.
As I read the article regarding the shortage of welders in last week’s paper it was reminiscent of articles that have been in papers and trade magazines for the past few years. Many of the industries that required “skilled labor” have a shortage of people. Yet we often hear people complain of a “Job Shortage”. I don’t know if both of these can be true. The metal fabrication industry has the ability to employ people with varying skill levels and education levels. It appears by this “shortage” that either (1) we have more work in Tishomingo County than we need OR (2) we have less desire to do this type of work than we need OR (3) we have less skills than we need OR(4) there is something about the industries in our area that make this undesirable work. 1) I am pretty sure we do not have too much work in the area. 2) Not many people are interested in this type of work. Those people may be better off with another type of work. The desire to do this type of work can vary for many reasons. The work is Hot, Dirty, Noisy, and full of risks. Are we above that? Is there something better? We encourage our children to play football, baseball, soccer etc…Are those hot dirty and risky? Is the education system in our county encouraging the pursuit of careers in which an 18 year old can go to work for a living wage? 3) The skills needed for welding are a little different than many other trades. Welding requires manual dexterity that is unmatched by MOST other trades. It is NOT a skill that can be read about, then go buy the machine, follow the instructions, and WELD. It requires quite a bit of practice in most cases. HOWEVER it does NOT require experience like other trades do. If a person can pass the applicable tests as designated by the company, they can go to work and often times for top money. Education after high school is a good thing. It is available to many but not all. One thing that is available is WORK. With welding, having the skill is nearly as good as having the experience. No experience questions, no diploma questions, just the skill. Welders are always in demand. Its just a matter of gaining the skill somewhere and being in the correct industry. (4) I feel the employers in this area are as good as or better than most in the southeast. I have visited a variety of shops as a third party inspector of welded assemblies. I have seen dirt floors, home made cranes, no safety program, and many other things that ARE NOT seen in Iuka shops. Though automation has reduced the number of welders required in certain industries, the jobs in the welding field will continue to exist. As our countries power plants, bridges, buildings and chemical plants age, the requirement for highly skilled welders will grow. These are the highest paying welding jobs in the industry. Our area has the ability to manufacture and transport items that cannot be made at most other manufacturers in the country. There are companies currently having items fabricated in Tishomingo county and having them shipped by water to the jobsite. There is ONLY WATER separating us from other countries that have a willing and trained workforce. I have long desired a teaching opportunity in the areas of welding and am highly interested in attending the next meeting with the “Industry leaders”.
Here is a related article on the internet http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qa5277/is_200710/ai_n21265519 |