Richard Harris, contributing editor

A student practices during a Welders Without Borders class while the instructor (left) watches his technique.

The Welders Without Borders program has grown with the help of many manufacturers and distributors. The program places welding theory in the hands of welders.

A few years ago, Professor Samuel Colton, professor of welding at Arizona Western College (AWC), Yuma, Ariz., was asked, "Why do we still need welders?" He replied, "Countries with the most steel production and the ability to work it are the wealthiest in the world."

But that simple question also prodded Colton, a metal junkie who began welding in junior high school, to launch a program in 2000 to train welders in Mexico during his summer vacation from college. Taking would-be welders off the street, he taught them techniques, safety practices and outlined processes that matched the needs of local firms.

"Today, The Welders Without Borders program has grown with the help of many manufacturers and distributors," says Colton. "In training situations, manufacturer reps put aside their competitive nature to work shoulder-toshoulder to teach welding to these students. The program brings out their passion for the industry. It puts welding theory in the hands of welders allowing them to fabricate goods for local use and to ship worldwide."

Traveling the Andes Mountains
Six years ago, after working on an engineering support contract for a military base, Colton began teaching full time. Each year he spends as many as five weeks living and working as a volunteer with welders in Mexico or Peru or areas of the United States. He even advises Nigerian welders.

This July, with help from EXSA S.A. Co., Lurin, Peru, an equipment manufacturer and distributor, and American Welding Society (AWS) section sponsor, Colton traveled to Peru for the Welders Without Borders 2005 Education Tour. There he visited schools and welding operations, and shared his knowledge, experience and enthusiasm for welding with students and workers. He presented and demonstrated welding techniques for several mining operations, the ship building industry and numerous schools. He logged ten airline flights, two train trips and numerous car and truck rides, including one on a foggy night in the Andes Mountains.

He also spoke in Spanish twice to an audience of more than 1,600 welding professionals from around the world during the Fourth International Conference on Welding in South America, held in Lima. The tour concluded with a visit to a German Lutheran Alliance School in Lima to donate books, and to make future plans for working with children in technical programs who live in an impoverished neighborhood. Colton already has plans to return to that school and to participate in a Welders Without Borders 2006 tour in Bolivia.

Sharing knowledge
"One of the goals of our program," says Colton, "is to encourage welding professionals from around the world to share their knowledge and experience with students of welding through the advancement of metals technology. Welding serves mankind because it is a knowledge that improves lives, builds nations and gives hope to millions.

"Another goal is to demonstrate the portability of welding skills in the global economy. We want to build relationships with welders from other counties and to share training information. We want our students to develop excellent welding skills and understanding of the industry. Equally important is an attitude of professionalism and pride in their chosen work," says Colton.

of welding skills in the global economy. We want to build relationships with welders from other counties and to share training information. We want our students to develop excellent welding skills and understanding of the industry. Equally important is an attitude of professionalism and pride in their chosen work," says Colton.

A good example of that professionalism is the success of state champion welding student Jason Trepanier. Trepanier gained enough skills from the program to successfully compete in the annual SkillsUSA national competition as part of the top 2% from around the nation. For more information call: Samuel Colton, Professor of Welding, Arizona Western College, (928) 344-7570, or, mail: samuel.colton@azwestern.edu

Thermadyne Industries Inc. has provided funding for Problem Solved case studies, with an intent to support instruction and solutions about hard-to-solve issues. This article was independently reported by Welding Design & Fabrication, and was not subject to prior review or approval by the sponsor.