Page 7 - HIWT Fall 2011 World of Welding

hiwt@welding.org HOBART INSTITUTE OF WELDING TECHNOLOGY

instrUCtors sHare ideas dUrinG sUMMer
ConferenCe

By Neil Mansfield, CWI/CWE, Welding Instructor
Assabet Valley Regional Vocational High School

As the high school class of 2011 crossed over the
finish line this school year, their shop teachers traded
places with them and became the students at this year’s
Miller Electric Mfg. Co. one day conference. This was
Miller’s approach to teaching welding technology at a
grass roots level.

Each year, Massachusetts vocational and academic
teachers gather at the annual Massachusetts Vocational
Association’s two-day learning conference that is held at
Assabet Valley Vocational High School in Marlborough,
Massachusetts. This forum is an approach to keep
vocational teachers updated in new teaching techniques,
exploring new ways to enhance classroom and shop
studies, and to share with each other their best practices
that are tried and tested in classrooms. But most of all, Massachusetts vocational instructors observe a Miller
it’s a conference for vocational teachers to make connec- welding demonstration during day-long educational conference.
tions with each other and share what is working and
what is not working in their programs.
A few years ago, I attended Hobart Institute’s Welding
Whenever you get welding teachers together you get a sense Instructor Course and found a similar learning experience
of high energy, strong passion, and a keen interest in learning that Miller offered at this year’s conference in Massachusetts.
something new. But the most important ingredient with It also brought welding teachers together to share their

welding instructors is an abundance of humor…yes humor! classroom experiences while learning something new about
It goes a long way in creating a cheerful atmosphere in which welding, and above all, to keep their teaching skills fresh,
our students learn to smile and appreciate vocational education expand their knowledge base in the science of welding, and

while teachers enjoy their work and sharing their knowledge. take their own welding programs to the next level by listening
After all, teaching welding is an opportunity for shop teachers and learning from Hobart’s passionate instructors.
share their own life’s work experiences and welding stories to
capture students’ imaginations in building something out of As welding instructors from around the country, we are
metal. But above all, a sense of humor, teaching, and welding faced with the ever-changing field of welding metals. Some
connects people who share and help each other get to the next welding techniques that our fathers and grandfathers used have
level in the art of welding. not changed all that much and are used in today’s welding
workplace. However, there are new welding processes, new
This year Miller’s one-day welding technology course was welding codes and procedures, new materials to be welded
attended by over 25 welding vocational instructors, union together, and new welding power sources that deliver better
apprenticeship teachers, and skilled welding craftsmen from quality welds. So, for the experienced welding craftsmen and
around the state. Topics included welding fundamentals, the young adult just starting out, it’s our duty to keep up with
machine set up, inverter technology for GTAW, GMAW, the ever changing times of welding the world together, and
GMAW-P, filler metals, shielding gases, basic metallurgy, and that means taking every opportunity to learn new things about
welding safety. This course was beneficial to each and every welding.
instructor who walked away with a treasure trove of new
and emerging welding technologies that will enhance their I encourage instructors to never stop learning, keep the spirit
programs, bring inverter welding machines into their shops, of welding going, be creative in your metal work, use science
and bring their students welding skills to the next level. Our to solve problems in your every day welding life, and enjoy
welding hats are off to Miller’s instructors for sharing their the art of making something by using your own two hands and
passion for welding with us. a welder’s torch.

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