Grant program funds a new kind of welding education April 15,
2008 A new grant program promotes education for the welding
technician. The program focuses more on welding theory behind
the various processes--and less on hands-on training. Students
at Lorain County Community College get hands-on training. A new
grant program has allowed the school to expand its offerings to
include more classroom work covering the science behind welding
processes. Welding's complexity stands out in metal fabricating,
and learning it doesn't happen overnight. It takes repetition
and concentration. It takes an understanding of metallurgy and
chemistry, as well as knowledge of good joint and product
design. It takes management and organizational skills that,
combined with welding knowledge, can make the best use of
welding technology. But can one person do it all? Few can, and
that fact lies at the heart of the skilled-labor shortage in
welding, according to sources. As a trade, welding requires
three personalities: the hands-on w