National Welding Month Shines Bright

AWS ARC Stars share what this month means to them

By KRISTIN CAMPBELL, managing editor of the Welding Journal.

Reprinted with permission: The AWS Welding Journal

The AWS ARC Stars — Jason Becker (@arcjunkiespodcast on Instagram, and the handles that follow are also found on this platform), Danea Buschkoetter (@welder_danea), Sean Flottmann (@dabswellington), Stephanie Hoffman (@_stephanie_hoffman_), Rachel Lee (@thetinywelder), and Chloë Hudson (@arcweldingangel) — are really looking forward to National Welding Month 2024. AWS recently established this year’s theme as “Increase Your Impact” (more about that is located in the story’s end section), and the ARC Stars share their thoughts on their impact and more in the following Q&A.

1. What does National Welding Month mean to you?

Becker: National Welding Month carries a deep significance for me as a welder who has spent the past ten years teaching our craft. It represents my passion for the art of welding and my commitment to passing down knowledge to the next generation of welders.

Buschkoetter: It is a time I can use to recruit the next generation of welders to help the shortage that we are currently facing across the world. During the month, I challenge myself to post every single day with something welding related. Oftentimes this brings new eyes to the content I produce and hopefully inspires other individuals, especially women, into this industry. The month gives us a time to celebrate how great the industry truly is, learn more about welding and trade skills, share cool projects, and shout out to other welders excelling in our industry. The welding industry is truly the backbone of our world.

Flottmann: National Welding Month is an opportunity to shed the spotlight on those hard-working tradesmen and women who most people never even consider — the ironworkers, millrights, fabricators, oilfield hands, pipeline welders, boilermakers, etc. These are the men and women who keep the lights on and keep us warm. This month is our opportunity to remind people of the dire necessity of skilled tradesmen and tradeswomen.

Hoffman: National Welding Month is a time to celebrate and recognize the importance of welding with career perspectives, welder appreciation, and building up our community, allowing life-long welders to aspiring welders to showcase their love for the trade. During this time, I think it’s so important that we acknowledge and appreciate the hard work of welders in various sectors, including construction, manufacturing, automotive, aerospace, art, and more. It’s a month to celebrate and create a sense of unity and camaraderie among welders and welding enthusiasts.

Hudson: I think welding month is an excellent opportunity to really highlight this trade and how everyone is impacted by those who carry the skills necessary to build the infrastructure that keeps the world running. Every single person is impacted by a welder’s ability in their day-to-day life. Roads, buildings, cell towers, the very car you commute in — all these things require tradespeople — especially welders.

Lee: To me, National Welding Month means 30 days to celebrate all the incredible opportunities, possibilities, and advances in the welding field.

2. How will you celebrate National Welding Month this year?

Becker: I plan to celebrate National Welding Month the same way I celebrate every month, by sharing my knowledge, promoting safety, and nurturing a sense of community among welders while contributing to the growth and recognition of our trade.

Buschkoetter: I plan again to post every single day of National Welding Month on my social media. In my content, I often share educational-related welding content. I also like to shout out to my women welding friends who are excelling in the industry. My game plan this year is to also prefilm my content, so I am not having to film every single day.

Flottmann: The same way I do every week, by fully immersing myself in the obsession that has dictated my career — welding. Whether teaching (I’m currently at the American Welding Academy, Union, Mo.), recruiting, contracting, or welding artwork, my world revolves around this industry.

Hoffman: I will celebrate by supporting the trade in new ways as I move into a new role out from under the hood and into the business side of industry (with Miller Electric Mfg. LLC as Northeast customer experience manager), proving that this career is not a one-way street or a dead end. There is growth and opportunity at each step, taking my industry knowledge and passion for welding education to new heights.

Hudson: I will celebrate by doing what I do best, welding. I’m lucky enough to call Joe Gibbs Racing in Huntersville, N.C., my employer, and it’s been an absolute dream come true of a job.

Lee: I’m going to celebrate National Welding Month by sharing tips, tricks, and projects on my Instagram for the entire month of April.

3. How has AWS increased your impact?

Becker: AWS has significantly increased my impact on the welding community. Through their support, I have been able to further my mission of helping, educating, and inspiring the next generation of welders. AWS has showcased my podcast, Arc Junkies, and I also host Weld Wednesday with AWS; granted me the role of a moderator at FABTECH, and facilitated my participation in AWS Section 510 meetings (Central Florida-Orlando), all of which have allowed me to reach and connect with a broader audience of aspiring welders.

Buschkoetter: As an active member of AWS, my professional journey in the welding industry has experienced a significant uplift. AWS has provided me access to advanced resources, industry-leading certifications, and a community of professionals who share a common passion for welding. Engaging in AWS events, classes, and meetings has not only expanded my knowledge but has also enhanced my skill set. Through networking opportunities facilitated by AWS, I’ve established connections with industry leaders, enabling me to stay current with the latest advancements in welding technology that I can bring back to my students. The continuous support and resources from AWS have been instrumental in my professional career (instructing welding students at Cloud County Community College, Concordia, Kans.).

Flottmann: AWS has increased my impact in many ways.  Aside from giving welders a platform to promote the trades and the benefits of certification, AWS has helped many of our students reach their goals through scholarships and training programs. The recent addition of the ARC Stars is just another facet of the promotional team’s efforts to help put the spotlight where it belongs — back onto the hard-working men and women of the trades.

Hoffman: AWS has increased my impact by allowing me to grow my network and industry knowledge. The Society has also given me the confidence and support I needed to make many of my career goals a reality.

Hudson: AWS absolutely impacted the trajectory of my career. I was lucky enough to attend trade school and able to get AWS certifications that made me universally qualified postgraduation. This put me ahead of other welders on jobsites coming in, and it was proof of my proficiency right out of the gate. I’m a life-long student and always looking for ways to add to my proverbial tool box. I just accomplished the monumental task of successfully becoming a Certified Welding Inspector (CWI). With this status, I’ve made myself far more valuable to my place of employment and [given myself] the opportunity to continue adding to that certification to further myself even more.

Lee: To share how AWS has increased the impact I’ve been able to make, I have to start at the beginning of my welding career to when I was enrolled at Lanier Technical College, Gainesville, Ga., and won my initial membership at a technical meeting hosted by the AWS Atlanta Section. Since that day, I’ve been able to achieve professional success (operating The Tiny Welder LLC in Georgia, specializing in mobile welding services) in large part due to the network AWS has helped me cultivate via the conferences, seminars, and events such as FABTECH.  Getting more involved in my local Section, in turn, helped me increase my impact to a national level.

Increase Your Impact

Since 1996, the month of April has been designated National Welding Month to raise awareness for the welding industry and its available career paths.

“This year’s theme, ‘Increase Your Impact,’ is a call to continuous improvement and active engagement on individual, corporate, and industry-wide levels,” said Cassie Burrell, senior vice president, marketing & membership development, AWS.

A variety of events planned through the month include:

Take The Torch Membership. Individuals who become AWS members during National Welding Month will receive 15 months of membership for the price of 12.

My Welding Story on Instagram. Through the month, AWS will highlight stories from those in the welding community and share how welding has shaped their lives. If a welding industry professional would like their welding story to be considered, they can complete the survey at weld.ng/myweldingstory for a chance to be featured on AWS’s Instagram stories.

Special Instagram Live Episode of Weld Wednesday Podcast. Join us for a special Instagram Live event of our Weld Wednesday podcast, hosted by Jason Becker, as we delve into the theme of “Increase Your Impact” in celebration of National Welding Month. It will be held on April 3 at 8 PM (EST). The featured guest will be Shanen AranmÓr, founder of Weld Like a GirlTM, lead CWI/welding judge on Project MFG, and passionate skilled trades advocate. She will share how welding has impacted her life and career and how she has inspired individuals to make a difference in their personal careers, communities, and the industry as a whole.

AWS Foundation Swag. Members who set up a monthly recurring donation of $3 or more at aws.org/donate will receive a limited-edition AWS Richardson trucker hat.

National Welding Month Discounts. Through April, AWS will be offering discounts on AWS products and services, including online training, the Welding Handbook, and more.

For more information, visit aws.org/nwm. 

Fig 1. Danea Buschkoetter enjoys teaching welding students at Cloud County Community College, Concordia, Kans.