Careers in Welding Mobile Experience heads to Montana Fair
The Careers in Welding Mobile Experience will roll into the Montana Fair in Billings August 9–11.
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Presented by the AWS Foundation and co-sponsored by Lincoln Electric and BlueForge Alliance, the dynamic, 53-foot welding-on-wheels showcase is on its annual summer tour across the country, demonstrating welding as a lucrative career path with many opportunities.
“I am ready to bring this remarkable and essential skilled trade into the spotlight, sharing about the huge variety of career paths and income potential in our industry,” said Andre Mosley, workforce development specialist at the AWS Foundation,
All who are interested in welding as a career or a hobby, including school groups, youth organizations, the media, and the general public, are welcome to visit.
Attendees can explore engaging exhibits that showcase weld examples and applications designed to spark the senses and ignite interest in welding. Don't miss the chance to snap a selfie with the “Metal Maiden,” a striking five-foot metal-art sculpture resembling the Statue of Liberty, crafted by Stephanie Hoffman and Barbie the Welder.
Sponsored by Lincoln Electric, the 53-foot single-expandable trailer offers visitors an immersive experience with virtual welding on state-of-the-art VRTEX 360 Virtual Reality Welding Simulators. Each day, the student achieving the highest score on these virtual welding stations will receive a $1,000 scholarship awarded by the AWS Foundation.
“In 2023, the AWS Foundation awarded $34,000 in scholarships throughout the tour,” Mosley said. “I’m happy I’m able to continue this tradition.”
This year, the Mobile Exhibit is also being sponsored by BlueForge Alliance (BFA) to promote BuildSubmarines.com, a website powered by BFA that is focused on elevating the submarine mission, integrating the industry demand signal, and aggregating education, training, and career opportunities in the skilled trades.
“We are proud to announce a two-year sponsorship of the Careers in Welding Mobile Experience with BlueForge Alliance, and for our collective efforts to be part of the critical mission to build and sustain submarines,” stated Monica Pfarr, Executive Director of the AWS Foundation. “Their sponsorship will enable us to continue to promote welding as a rewarding career path and highlight the essential role the manufacturing workforce plays in our nation's defense.”
Check out the entire [aws.org/Community-and-Events/Mobile-Experience/] 2024 CIW Tour schedule, for a full list of confirmed tour stops.