Bruce Vernyi, Editor-in-Chief E-mail: bvernyi@penton.com

With all the activity at the recent FabTech International & AWS Welding Show, it may have been easy to overlook the ceremony sponsored by the American Welding Society’s “Image of Welding Committee” to acknowledge the heroes of our industry.

The committee set aside time during the show to recognize people, organizations and companies that have invested in the welding industry and have contributed to improving its image. Many of those honored have dedicated their careers and much of their lives to the advancement of welding, and certainly have gone farther than most for the industry to promote it as a career choice for students.

Here are the honorees, and a brief description of the work they have done. Details are available at the American Welding Society Internet site (www.aws.org.)

The AWS Houston Section. The Houston Section is the largest and one of the most active sections of the AWS. Besides the comprehensive activities it sponsors locally, including student activities, hosting an active Internet site (www.awshouston.org), and maintaining a flourishing membership, the Houston Section organized a relief committee in the aftermath of Hurricane Rita to deliver food, supplies and support to the AWS Sabine Section, and helped with clean-up operations after the storm.

Bucyrus International. This 125-year-old Milwaukee-based company (www.bucyrus.com) joined with a local college and city council to create a welder training program, and inspired another technical college to create a degree specifically for students who are interested in welding. Other efforts include an open-door program for students to tour its facility, and outreach to local and statewide organizations and schools across the region – all of which served a secondary purpose of helping the company to find welders for its own operations.

Carl Occhialini, automotive manager for the Lincoln Electric Co. (www.lincolnelectric.com). Occhialini has been a certified welder for more than 45 years, has had a 40-year tenure with Lincoln Electric, and has been a member of the AWS Detroit section for more than 35 years.

In addition to chairing several AWS committees, Occhialini travels the United States, Canada, Mexico and Japan to speak to students and professionals about welding and to promote welding as a career.

Greiner Industries. Greiner Industries, of Mount Joy, Penn., (www.greinerindustries.com) prides itself on its extensive industry certifications, and on its efforts in safety and trade activism. It maintains a modern facility with the latest in welding and fabrication equipment, and hard with local vocational and technical schools to encourage students to consider careers in welding.

Robert Sandelier. Sandelier received recognition in the Educator Category. He teaches at the Camden County Technical School in Pennsauken, N.J., and at the Cumberland Vocation School near Vineland, N.J. Sandelier started welding at the age of 5, and ran a welding shop that was started by his father. He has since retired and sold the business, but continues to teach to encourage students to enter the welding industry.

Sheet Metal Workers Local #33, Cleveland District, Joint Apprenticeship & Training Program. Local 33 was formed in 1988 from seven previous unions, and represents more than 4,500 members through most of Ohio and West Virginia. It is committed to the welding profession, and promotes its benefits to students as a career choice. The union just completed building a self-funded, $6 million training facility for apprentice and journeymen welders.

Sutton-Garten Co. One of the oldest gas and hard goods distributors in the United States, Sutton-Garten Co. (www.sutton-garten.com) works closely with local high schools and provides trophies and materials to the Mid-West Team Welding Tournament. The distribution company, based in Indianapolis, offers welding classes at its facility and, after encouraging students to consider careers in welding, helps to advance the skills of welders by providing opportunities for further education.

These are examples of what can be done to bring more welders into industry. I hope they’ll serve as an example for all of us.