Photo Courtesy of Kirkwood

National Welding Month was established to recognize the welding industry and its workers. Welding careers play an important role in keeping people safe and are considered the backbone of the world economy. Even though there is a great demand for welders, participation in the skilled trades continues to decrease. The Kirkwood Washington County Regional Center is equipped to train the next generation of welders through two welding-focused academies. Offered annually to local high schoolers, students learn practical skills essential to the manufacturing industry and proper MIG and TIG welding techniques. Both the Welding Academy and the Advanced Manufacturing and Welding Academy are favorites among high school students, often producing a direct pathway into a welding career right out of high school. Other students decide to pursue advanced training in the two-year welding programs on Kirkwood’s main campus in Cedar Rapids. Washington County Regional Center provides opportunities to introduce and explore welding for younger students, too. Camp Exploration “Wild Welding”, a 3-day career exploration camp targeted to Middle School students, provides a three-day experience to learn safety and basic welding techniques. You can find a link to more information about the welding academies with this news story at KCIIradio.com.