How do you see the future of fabricating?

I read the article “Fabricating the American Dream”  in the Fabricator last month, and it got me thinking.

Being a metal fabricator has changed significantly over the past decade. The skills required, the equipment used, and the pace of change look a whole lot different than they did just a few years ago. Indeed, a few years from now, we will look back in amazement at how much things have changed again. What doesn’t really change, though, is the value of a skilled metal fabricator. Companies are always looking for a well-rounded, skilled metal fabricator. But to achieve these skills takes time and effort on the part of the individual. The person must welcome change, have a desire to learn, and strive to be their best. For this effort, a person can expect career advancement and increasing pay. This is not to say there won’t be ups and downs. The economic reality is that people will get laid off and hired as the economy progresses, but the more skills you have, the more value you have to the company and the greater your stability. The future for Americans in the sheet metal fabrication industry is still promising, but several questions need to be answered.

Where can someone go to get training to get a start in the metal fabricating industry? It seems that vocational programs are disappearing from our high schools. Trade schools are few and far between. Share what you know and help an aspiring fabricator. Do companies still offer apprenticeship programs? How do you find them? What skills do you need to have to be considered? As Accurate Perforating looks to expand our value-added services to our customers, we face the same issues. With a limited availability of highly skilled labor, we offer a customized on-the-job training program. It’s not the ultimate solution for our industry, but it is a step in the right direction. Candidates for the training program must pass an aptitude test. This test quantifies the individual’s ability to perform job-specific math calculations and accurately read various measuring devices necessary for the position.

Join the conversation and share your thoughts and experiences. What is your company doing to fill positions? How did you get started? The future of metal fabricating could be in your hands.