New opportunities revive local welding industry

A few years ago, officials with Northwest-Shoals Community College were taking a hard look at the feasibility of the school's welding program.

"That was because it was a part-time program, and it was struggling to be that (because of low attendance)," said Roger Garner, an instructor at the school.

Two years ago, that changed.

Now the welding department is at maximum capacity with students. Garner said there are two classes, with 30 students in each class.

"We've got a waiting list (that at one time had 90 people) wanting to take the class," Garner said.

He said when rumors circulated that National Alabama, a railcar manufacturing company, was locating in Barton Riverfront Industrial Park, class attendance started picking up.

"And now, with the company building a plant there, and knowing that welders are going to be needed, we're running over," Garner said. "Plus the fact that people have realized that welding is a good, high-paying job."

Northwest-Shoals President Humphrey Lee said the announcement of National Alabama coming to the area shed light on the fact that there was a shortage of welders in the area.

"It created a need. And that, coupled with the potential for people to improve their technical skills, which helped improve their job situation, caused an increased interest in welding," Lee said.

He said it's shown people that technical manufacturing jobs, such as the ones that will be offered at National Alabama, are good-paying jobs.

"It has helped bring out the awareness that there is a need for skilled labor," Lee added.

Colbert County resident Charlie King had been laid off from a manufacturing job and decided to go back to school and take the welding class.

"I had done some welding before, but nothing major," said 45-year-old King. "I took the class to hopefully help me develop another skill, which might open up some new opportunities for me."

King is just one of a number of success stories coming from the welding class. He started the class in the summer of 2007 and is scheduled to graduate in summer 2008. King already has a job offer.

"The class put me in the position that when the job offer came, I was prepared for it," King said.

King said he heard a lot of negative feedback when he decided to go back to school for the welding classes.

"Some people said I was too old to start over. But I realized something very fast - it's never too late to go back and get new training to better yourself," he said. "Without that training, this job opportunity wouldn't have been there for me."

Garner said welding is like a lot of skilled trades, where they "run in cycles."

He said the in late 1970s there was a shortage of welders, then the profession went on an upswing.

"Now, we're back in the decline stage," Garner said. "But I'm hoping people are seeing that welding, although it's not a glamorous job, is a good job, one someone can make a good living with."

"It goes back to supply and demand. Right now there is a need, a big need for skilled laborers," Garner said. "About 10 to 15 years ago, I heard rumors that there was going to be a shortage in skill trades. I never thought it would happen, but it did.

"Thankfully, people, no matter what age or sex, have understood that and are going back to school to get the training they need. We get calls just about every day from someone wanting to know more about the program.

"Instead of us being at nothing, we're now running over, which is a good thing."

Tom Smith can be reached at 740-5757 or tom.smith@timesdaily.com.