Spotlighting Welders: Why Welders Are Important to Our Workforce

What Do Welders Do?

Welders construct and connect the materials that fuse our world together. They work a difficult, physically demanding job in harsh conditions — putting their health and sometimes lives at risk all without sacrificing craftsmanship. The thing is, a lot of what welders do happens behind the scenes.

Learn more about why welders are important and what makes them tick. Today, we tip our hats (and welding helmets) to welders.

Why Are Welders Important?

Welders are an important part of our workforce because they contribute to most manufactured products and industrial goods, and they help piece together the infrastructure that connects us all. That bridge you take to work, and the foundation of your apartment building — both are held together by some seriously strong welds.

What Industry Is Welding Used In?

Because of their work joining all types of materials, welders leave their mark on nearly every industry:

• Manufacturing – Machine and parts fabrication
• Construction – Buildings, bridges, fences and dams
• Energy – Power plants, pipelines, turbines and oil rigs
• Ship and boat building – Ship and submarine construction and fleet maintenance
• Transportation – Cars, planes, buses, subways and spaceships

Without welders, we wouldn’t have our modern comforts, shelters or means of traveling from place to place. You can (and should) thank a welder.

Welder Personality Traits

Welders have mentally strong personality traits like grit, resilience and detail. They snub laziness and push through difficult conditions to get the job done right.

Welders’ personality traits lend themselves to forming a tight-knit community, both at the worksite and online. They’re not above seeking advice from fellow welders on how to make their work better, often sharing images of their best welds in hopes of feedback. As a result of welders’ personality traits, you don’t have to look far for unfiltered criticism, encouragement, a slap on the back or a friendly shove to improve welding technique.

Welders also value safety. You never know where a new job will take you — underground, underwater, overseas. Each worksite presents new challenges, and you can count on experienced welders to tell you what you’ll need to get in and out in one piece. Sure, there’s pride in a job done right, but even more pride in a job done safely.

Sometimes they share advice on the welding subreddit, /r/welding — good for both welding and life: “Put some love into it and it will love you back.” “Look at every weld you make — there will always be ways to improve.”

Is Welding Physically Demanding?

Welding is a physically demanding job. You need strength for lifting heavy materials and the stamina to stay on your feet for extended periods of time while operating machinery. Welding is hard manual labor and one of welders’ personality traits is a love for staying active. The great part? You’ll always keep your body in top physical condition.

Manual Welding vs Robot Welding: Why Manual Welding is Better

With advancements in robotics and automation, some robots are built to perform the metalwork that welders can do. Though some welders are concerned about a robot take-over, many are confident that this won’t happen anytime soon.

Robots and automated welding machines don’t have the ability to think on their feet and react quickly should something go wrong. They also don’t have the physical capacity of a human to perform tough welds in tight spaces or remote locations.

Above all, robots lack the creativity and artistry that make human welders such an asset.

The Future Demand For Welders

Welders are the past, the present and the future - the demand for them will remain consistent. We’ll always need welders. No matter where the green industry leads us, welders will still be involved. When local governments address the infrastructure of aging cities, welders will be an integral part of the solution.

Welders are the muscle, sweat and grit our country relies on to keep running strong.