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hiwt@welding.org HOBART INSTITUTE OF WELDING TECHNOLOGY

THE GOLDEN NUGGET

I find this to be true as I often see this in resumes as they
By Joanna Cohen are becoming more colorful with lists of courses indicating
Recruiter their broad knowledge. Candidates appear to have a robust
CIANBRO
foundation of multiple skills sets and exposure to varied
techniques. In theory, this is an excellent solution to building
a workforce that is more marketable in multiple industries.
In order to stay current with Companies are voicing their needs, schools are responding
market trends, schools are and graduates are being considered for employment.
adapting and inviting employers
to provide feedback on what Proactive and innovative as this movement is, we must not
they are looking for in weld lose site of the ultimate goal: Can the candidate pass the
candidates. In the role of weld test? Have the core skillsets of safety, understanding of
recruiter, I am often invited in to materials, equipment set-up and basic weld techniques been
review curriculums for various practiced for countless hours and understood to the point of
welding programs. Typically near perfection AND kept fresh throughout the program?
these meetings consist of individuals from various companies, Spending time in the booth working on perfecting skills is the
including HR personnel, hiring managers, weld shop QA/ core to a successful career and should be in addition to the
QC managers, weld trainers and the like. As a group, we time spent on other topics. Mastering the basics is the “golden
are asked to look over curriculums, ask questions and make nugget” which can be built upon, but without it, is like riding
recommendations.
a bicycle without any air in the tires. You can do it, but will
you be as successful?
These sessions are a valuable tool for employers to identify
key skill sets they are looking for; and quite often, the schools Ultimately, be sure to put time in the booth and master your
will make changes to their curriculum to adapt. Interestingly, craft. Many weld programs are providing a diverse program
employers will be focused on both technical and soft skills. teaching a host of skills to better prepare you for the market;
Discussion around techniques, materials, blueprint reading, and this is what companies are in search of. However, just
metallurgy and a host of general work ethic traits are often the don’t lose sight of the core skills. Make time to keep your
topic of discussion. As a result, curriculums are often adjusted skills sharp, and the rest will be the icing on the cake.
so graduates are more prepared for the industry; and ideally,
job placement rates increase. As these changes take place,
Joanna Cohen is a Recruiter at CIANBRO, a heavy civil and industrial
more companies are building stronger relationships with construction company with offices along the Eastern Seaboard. She
schools/institutes and will often consider new graduates with works out of their Southern New England Regional office in Bloomfield,
little to no experience when openings arise. Connecticut, hiring individuals to work on any number of projects in
sixteen states. You can reach her at jcohen@cianbro.com

LEARNING TO WELD WITH NEW TECHNOLOGY

(Continued from page 6)

I do not ever see Hobart Institute changing out their equipment for virtual welders. We all know that one has to put in hours
and hours of practice to be considered as a qualified welder. And, without the sparks, smells and sounds, that can never be
accomplished without actually performing hands-on arc welding.

Welding training is changing in our public school system; some will survive and continue to produce welders that will enter the
trade and others will begin to expose students to welding and directing them toward HIWT. If we can expose more students to
what we do and get them into trade schools, we may be able to keep our infrastructure alive in America and allow us to keep
America strong…one bead at a time.

“Success is often overlooked as it comes disguised in overalls and hard work.” (Thomas Jefferson)

Biazzio Girodano, Jr. is the welding instructor for Career Technology Education at Parkside High School in Salisbury, Maryland,
where he was once a student. He has also attended Hobart Institute, most recently to obtain his AWS CWI/CWE® certification.

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