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5-step approach to formalizing a feeder system for welding talent

In 2017, William Polacek, president/CEO ofJWF Industriesin Johnstown, Pa., saw opportunity—like so many other metal fabricators at the time—and set forth to grow the company. To do that, the company needed welders, so it ramped up the recruitment efforts. At the time, Polacek stated that he wanted the diversified metal fabricating company (today with locations in four states and with

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Incentives for skilled migrants to work in regional South Australia axed in migration program shake-up

Regional centres could miss out on attracting skilled migrant workers following changes to South Australia’s General Skilled Migration (GSM) scheme. TheGSMprogramfor 2023-24, which opened in late September, is designed to attract skilled workers to fill labour shortages, offering several pathways or streams towards achieving permanent residency. https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-10-19/regions-miss-out-in-skilled-migration-visa-shake-up/102995774

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Reaping the benefits of welding fixtures

It’s no industry secret that welding fixtures improve consistency, optimize quality, and reduce defects. That has never been more important than it is today, especially when considering the skills gap facing the welding industry. In a perfect scenario, the concept of a welding fixture would be considered during the design or prototyping of a particular part or product. This allows

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Promoted content: The Welding skill shortage in the UK – inspiring the next generation

Air Products – sponsor of the WorldSkills UK Welding competition – explains how this important initiative is helping to tackle a worrying shortage in UK welding expertise. In the intricate tapestry of the UK’s workforce, a noticeable gap is emerging—one that poses a significant challenge for the future of manufacturing. The shortage of skilled welders has become a pressing concern,

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Welders tell researchers why they don’t always wear PPE

Tempe, AZ — Arecent studyindicates that many welding workers believe some of their tasks don’t warrant the use of personal protective equipment. Commissioned by CPWR – The Center for Construction Research and Training, researchers from Arizona State University surveyed 124 members of the Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors National Association and the Mechanical Contractors Association of America. https://www.safetyandhealthmagazine.com/articles/24498-welders-tell-researchers-why-they-dont-always-wear-ppe

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The craziest welding jobs

My mind is forever wandering, and sometimes wondering. It might be focused on cute dog videos, the future viability of nuclear-powered cars, why we let politicians play the stock market, or on my never-shrinking list of things I need to do by yesterday. I want to know what locations, weather, heights and depths, materials, positions, or projects made you say,“That

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How have welders influenced welding helmet design?

Take a quick glance at today’s welding helmets and you may wonder how to use and master all the features. Nowadays, you can find autodarkening, natural color, lightweight, and ergonomic features on higher-end welding helmets, middle-of-the-line options, and the more basic models (no, manufacturers haven’t forgotten about those customers, either). Some welding equipment manufacturers argue that welding helmet advancements are

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Automation in metal fabrication continues to become more mobile

Think about an automated precision sheet metal operation, one with all the technological bells and whistles at every manufacturing step. A flexible manufacturing system brings sheet from a live-inventory tower system to a laser cutting bed. The formed pieces are stacked and then brought to processes downstream like welding and powder coating. It’s the epitome of flexible manufacturing automation—except, that

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