Page 3 - HIWT Summer 2016 World of Welding

Politics, Elections & Welders

May 2016

It’s interesting the amount of time and money that has been spent on elections with many
dynamic individuals trying to position themselves to earn our votes. Many topics have hit the
media circuit from walls to health care to free college and more.

With excitement I was glad to see welding get its deserved moment in the spotlight this
election season even if it was for a short period. Point taken that vocational education is
needed to fill the skill trades demand and shortage.

Candidates had comments as they were attempting to make “political” points for votes;
however some comments were certainly appreciated:

“Mr. Rubio was correct in pointing out that they are in demand, and his
“help wanted” advertisement was appreciated by the industry”
New York Times November 2015

By Scott A. Mazzulla, President “I was told there are 250,000 welder jobs open in America, jobs paying
Hobart Institute of Welding Technology anywhere from $50,000 to $70,000 a year. We have to start doing
something about training and employing people who are sitting on the
sidelines because they don’t see a path”.
Rick Santorum (Fox Business/WSJ) - November 2015
For welding with an estimated shortfall of 400,000* welders by 2025 vocational education is critical and it will take all the high quality
welding programs to continue their efforts. *American Welding Society

HIWT this year is expanding to increase our capacity to serve the welding industry to address the industry shortage. As our new building is
being erected it was a great moment to see our “outcome cycle” come full circle as an alumnus of HIWT was employed by the contractor
and welding on our building.

This is the outcome every student of HIWT inspires for, come to school, get a great education, learn a great skill and enter the workforce.

2016 SUMMER ISSUE - 2 - www.welding.org www.welding.org - 3 - 2016 SUMMER ISSUE