The Welding Industry Needs to Evangelize its Untapped Career Potential to Attract New Skilled Labor

 

The heat is on in the welding industry. The American Welding Society predicts a need for 336,000 new welding professionals by 2026, and with a growing demand for skilled workers, various programs and initiatives are taking center stage to attract new talent. High school welding competitions, mentorship programs, and customized professional development opportunities are just a few ways this booming trade is being promoted. But is the industry doing enough to sell itself as rich with career growth opportunities for the most ambitious potential professionals? Do enough professionals eyeing the industry see a job in welding as a career?

Vince McGill, a welder at Lincoln Electric, shares his experience of turning his welding job into a thriving career in the welding industry, and why learning a hard skill was the best path for him to build a fulfilling and promising career. The industry could benefit from telling its own story and fostering more opportunities to create professionals like Vince.

Vince’s Thoughts:

“My name is Vince McGill. I’m a welder here at Lincoln Electric. I graduated high school at 16 years old. When I was going to school, we were pushed towards getting a four-year degree by my parents, teachers, and counselors. I did community college, decided I really wasn’t into school like I thought I should be, so I decided to go get a career. Getting into a skill or when you don’t go to school, you look at things like a job.

But when I got into welding, I learned early that this is going to be a career. I can take this many places. I can become an engineer; an instructor; a CWI inspector. It’s many different fields that I can make into a career and not just a job, knowing that I can get a skill and I can make the same money I can make if I got a four-year degree.

It’s just one of the best things I ever accomplished. This can be something I can do till I retire.”

Article written by Azam Saghir.

Follow us on social media for the latest updates in B2B!

Image

Latest

child safety
Child Safety Isn’t a Feature—It’s the Product: Harbor’s No-Compromise Approach
June 17, 2025

As technology becomes more embedded in daily life—especially in family and home care products—trust, reliability and child safety have become essential differentiators. Deloitte reports that consumers spend up to 25% more on brands they trust, and one in five spend 50% more when brand confidence runs deep. That trust becomes critical in sectors like…

Read More
career game
Unity’s Jessica Lindl on Playing the Career Game Loop: Learning to Earn in the New Economy (Episode 3)
June 16, 2025

As AI, automation, and immersive tech accelerate disruption, the future of work is being reshaped faster than most institutions can adapt. Entry-level roles for recent graduates are shrinking, traditional degrees are being questioned, and lifelong careers are being replaced by continuous reinvention. In this climate, the most valuable assets are no longer technical certifications…

Read More
the career game loop
Unity’s Jessica Lindl on Playing the Career Game Loop: Learning to Earn in the New Economy (Episode 2)
June 16, 2025

Today’s workforce is facing profound disruption, driven by automation, AI, and shrinking entry-level job opportunities. According to SignalFire’s 2025 State of Talent report, entry-level hiring in tech has dropped by 50% from pre-pandemic levels. In this shifting landscape, younger workers aren’t just seeking jobs—they’re demanding agency, feedback, and purpose. Game-based learning models like the…

Read More
career game loop
Unity’s Jessica Lindl on Playing the Career Game Loop: Learning to Earn in the New Economy (Episode 1)
June 16, 2025

As traditional career paths break down, economic mobility is being redefined by adaptability, not academic credentials. Today, 52% of college graduates are underemployed a year after graduation, working in roles that don’t require a four-year degree. Meanwhile, networking strategies like informational interviews yield one job offer per 12 conversations—far more effective than the one-in-200…

Read More