Industry demand for welders sparks hiring

Area colleges are striving to train welders to meet area industry demand. In addition, the perception about this middle-skill work has shifted â when people learn welders can make into the six-figures in pay. less Area colleges are striving to train welders to meet area industry demand. In addition, the perception about this middle-skill work has shifted â when people learn welders can make into the six-figures in ... more Photo: Design Pics RF Photo: Design Pics RF Image 1 of / 1 Caption Close Industry demand for welders sparks hiring 1 / 1 Back to Gallery

According to the Texas Workforce Commission, welding has been one of the most in-demand careers in the Gulf Coast area since 2010, and the TWC's projected estimated employment figure for welders from 2010 to 2020 in the region is 20,650, which represents an industry growth of nearly 27 percent.

For 2013, the TWC estimated average annual wage for entry-level welders was $28,031; the estimated average salary for experienced welders was $45,533. But, with the recent growing demand for welders, wages are rising dramatically with reports of entry-level welders with a one year certificate earning as much as $28/hour.

Eddie Foster, industrial technology department chair on San Jacinto College's North Campus, said skilled welders are in demand every step of the energy industry - from rig infrastructure to building and maintaining pipelines to refinery expansion and maintenance to shipping.

"We've seen this demand grow exponentially over the past 18 months," he said.

In response to this demand, Foster said the San Jacinto College North Campus has added 16 new welding training stations in the spring 2014 semester, and 32 new training stations were completed before the fall semester began.

Offering certificate classes along with an Associate of Applied Science degree, Foster said the most popular of the certificates was the Combination Welder Certificate, which can be completed in six classes, and costs $420 per class.

Tom Tynan, district-wide director of Houston Community College's Construction Trades Program, said the college's welding program is based on the Bluebonnet Campus at 4014 Bluebonnet Drive in Stafford.

"We currently have 14 booths we keep busy from 7 a.m. until 10 p.m., Monday through Friday and weekends," he said. "This semester we have 70 students enrolled and we're currently taking registrations for the spring semester."

"The demand is overwhelming right now, but we cannot build enough space to train the welders needed. Worldwide the demand is around a quarter-million, and here in Houston there are currently jobs for about 7,000 welders.

"We do fast-track training - 14 weeks, 12 hours a week, 160 hours. We don't waste a minute - from arc welding to flux core - we cover them all," Tynan said.

He said anyone with a steady hands and patience can be successful in the welding arena.

"Entry-level welders can earn $15-22/hour, but once you get in, you can expect anywhere from $20 to $40/hour, and there's plenty of overtime," Tynan said, "and the alternative energy industry needs welders as well."

In-district or out of district, tuition is $980 plus tools - and there's financial aid for those who qualify.

"We offer training in English and Spanish, not only in a welding trades but also in our other construction programs," Tynan said.

At San Jacinto's Central Campus, the welding program is now at full speed in expanded facilities equipped with advanced equipment. The Central Campus also recently began offering a twice-weekly, 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. "graveyard" welding class to help accommodate shift workers.

The Houston area's demand for welders shows no sign of slowing, according to Glen O'Mary, director of education for the Construction and Maintenance Education Foundation.

"There has been a consistently growing demand for skilled welders for Houston-area industries," he said. "Rig welders, especially, are being sought after in an expanding market. CMEF Training Contributor Partners hire new welders on a regular basis."

Foster said he gets calls daily from companies looking for more welders.

"Only a week or so ago, I visited with Fluor Corp. officials who said they were hiring welders. And several large companies are especially in need of welders, including Turner Industries, Jacobs and Force Corp."

Gary Friery, Ph.D., dean of business and technology at the San Jacinto College North Campus, said there's been a subtle shift in general perception about middle-skill workers, such as welders.

"We find increased interest and a changed attitude when people learn, for example, a welding job can lead to a six-figure income in a short amount of time. That can change a person's perception," Friery said.

Foster said welding is a trade that's not going away any time soon.

"It's a craft you can take anywhere in the world," he said. "We teach our students, 'When you walk away from that weld, you've got to think, Nobody could have done it better.'"

For information about welding training at San Jacinto College, visit www.sanjac.edu/welding-technology. For information about training at HCC, visit the Bluebonnet campus in Stafford or call 713-718-8903. Tynan said the best way to get into the program is to visit with his staff on campus.