Spotlighting Welders: The Muscle of Our Modern Workforce

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 they do happens behind the scenes.

Learn more about why welders make up a vital part of our workforce and what makes them tick. Today, we tip our hats (and welding helmets) to welders.

Why welders are invaluable

Welders 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.

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.

Welders value hard work and each other

Welders value grit, resilience and detail. They snub laziness and push through difficult conditions to get the job done right.

Welders form 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. 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.”

They’re better than robots

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.

Welders propel the future

Welders are the past, the present and the future. We’ll always need them. 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.