Is your organization interested in finding ways to increase welding productivity while improving and maintaining acceptable weld quality? Welding Supervisors can make a valuable contribution to the four most important metrics in welding operations: quality, cost, productivity and safety. Yet, the position of welding supervisor is often an overlooked resource. Often the underlying cause of a supervisor's inability to improve productivity can be traced to inadequate knowledge and the minimal amount of time that a supervisor actually spends with welders. The AWS Certified Welding Supervisor program was created to rectify these conditions by offering welding supervisors and their companies the opportunity to put the welding supervisor in a support position for the welders, making them the most productive and best they can be. This innovative program identifies a body of knowledge all welding supervisors should know and understand in order to increase productivity and improve weld quality.

Just as the Certified Welding Supervisor program was created in response to industry demand, the AWS has also established a certification for welding fabricators based on industry demand. This certification requires a company to comply with welding-related functions and verifies through a third-party assessment that the welding fabricator has the required personnel, organization, experience, procedures, knowledge, equipment, capability, and commitment Bundled together, these two programs can provide an excellent productivity and quality enhancement package. For more information on the Certified Welding Fabricator Program call 800-443-9353, ext. 475.

Certified Welding Inspector / Certified Welding Educator Seminar and Exam in Minneapolis, Aug. 30 - Sept. 6

Our second annual Certification Open Forum entitled "WHY DO WE NEED WELDING PROCEDURES?" was held at the Hilton Garden Inn in Shoreview on December 10, 2008. We had about 30 attendees. We would like to thank Bob Sands for explaining what needs to be on a WPS and providing examples of Welding Procedure Specifications. We also want to thank Mace Harris for setting this event up.

The Annual Behind the Mask Contest was held on February 18, 2009 at the St. Cloud Technical College. We had 52 contestants with some competing in more than one process. For other events and activities, please check out the Events page of this website.

The FABTECH International & AWS Welding Show is the largest event in North America dedicated to showcasing a full spectrum of metal forming, fabricating, tube & pipe, and welding equipment and technology. In 2009, the event returns to Chicago! Thousands of buyers and sellers from around the world will gather at McCormick Place to exchange products and services, form new business relationships, problem-solve, and share best practices. Be a part of this exciting manufacturing tradition - make plans now to exhibit or attend the 2009 FABTECH International & AWS Welding Show.

Its never too early to think about applying for the National and District Scholarships. For more information click on "Scholarships"

The Northwest Section is giving an $800.00 Scholarship to each qualifying school this year. The Section gave out $7200.00 in scholarships last year, Go to the "Scholarships Page" for more information.

Thank-you to Production Engineering for donating another $1000.00 to our Section's Welding Scholarship program. This is the 9th year that PEC has donated a thousand dollars for welding scholarships. Check out the PEC Company Profile.

We also want to thank Oxygen Service for raising $386.06 in donations at their open house this fall. Oxygen Service added an additional $386.06, raising the total amount donated to AWS Northwest Section Scholarship fund of $772.12. We appreciate all the support we have received from Oxygen Service, not only for this year but all the years in the past.

WSJ Article: "Where Have All the Welders Gone?..."

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