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The Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Wisconsin is spearheading a $1 million collaborative initiative to train welders in four areas of the state, including Milwaukee, it was announced Friday.

The program is being funded by the state and the welding industry.

The nonprofit chamber is working in partnership with Miller Electric Manufacturing Co., along with other area employers, manufacturing alliances, technical colleges and workforce development boards.

The goal is to train 120 qualified welders during the first 12 months, said Jorge Franco, the chamber's CEO.

The program will operate in Milwaukee, Appleton, Green Bay and Wausau, and work through technical colleges in those areas. The chamber will expand to these regions as well, Franco said.

Miller, headquartered in Appleton, is a worldwide manufacturer of Miller brand arc welding products.

"Just as Miller is committed to helping our customers build things that stand the test of time, we are also committed to building careers in the welding industry," said Mike Weller, the president of Miller and co-chairman of the HCCW Advanced Manufacturing Partnership.

Job, life skills training

The new job program will produce accredited, job-ready welders through a combination of a screening process and essential life skills training, in addition to traditional welding training and mentored trainee support.

Up to 60 hours of life skills training on topics such as communication, teamwork and the work environment will be given to those in the program, who will be paid$10 an hour, said Franco. That will be followed by 12 to 16 weeks of welder training tailored to meet the needs of specific employers in each of the four regions, he said.

There are more than 400 welder job openings in the counties served by the program, according to Miller officials.

Nationwide, there's a need for about 230,000 new welders by 2019, said Sam Gentry, executive director of the American Welding Society.

"We are enthusiastic about this great project because it brings together partners in education, business and the government to create a successful initiative to train and put productive people into the workforce," he said.

"Providing the life skills, in addition to the welder training, is so important as well," he said. "I think the components are certainly there for this to be looked at as a national model."

The Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development has committed $400,000 to fund the customized technical skill development for the first year, with $100,000 going to each of the four regional sites.

In addition, Illinois Tools Works Inc. — the parent company of Miller — is providing $400,000 in matching funds. The American Welding Society has committed $200,000.

Those selected for the program must have "first and foremost an outstanding work attitude," said Franco. If a candidate doesn't have a GED, assistance will be provided so they can get one and enhance their math skills and the skills needed to move on in training, he said.

After completing the life skills portion of the program, participants can move into the technical welding training or move into another job, he said.