The welding industry in the United States is facing a critical challenge: a projected shortage of skilled welders that threatens to disrupt manufacturing, construction, aerospace, and other key sectors. According to the American Welding Society (AWS), the U.S. will need approximately 360,000 new welding professionals by 2027, with an average of 90,000 welding jobs to be filled annually between 2023 and 2027. This shortage is driven by an aging workforce, with nearly 30% of welders expected to retire by 2026, coupled with insufficient new talent entering the field due to misconceptions about welding as a career. In this context, companies like Samson Metal Engineering and Manufacturing, based in Lakeland, Florida, stand out as industry leaders, leveraging their high-quality, robust welding staff and advanced capabilities, including 6G welding, to deliver top-tier precision and reliability.
The AWS Welder Shortage: A Growing Concern
The AWS has highlighted several factors contributing to the welder shortage:
-
Aging Workforce: The average age of U.S. welders is over 55, with 21.4% older than 55 and 21.8% between 45 and 55, meaning a significant portion will retire soon.
-
Industry Growth: Demand for welders is surging in sectors like automotive, aerospace, energy, and infrastructure, driven by federal investments such as the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and the CHIPS and Science Act.
-
Perception Challenges: Welding is often perceived as a dirty, dangerous, or low-paying career, deterring younger generations despite competitive wages (median annual wage of $48,940 in 2023) and opportunities for advancement.
-
Educational Gaps: Fewer students are enrolling in technical welding programs, partly due to a societal emphasis on four-year degrees over trade careers.
This shortage poses risks such as project delays, increased costs, and reduced competitiveness for manufacturers. The AWS is addressing the issue through initiatives like scholarships, grants, and the Careers in Welding Mobile Exhibit, which uses virtual reality to spark interest among students. However, the immediate need for skilled welders remains acute, making companies with robust welding teams invaluable.
Samson Metal Engineering and Manufacturing: A Beacon of Welding Excellence
Located in Lakeland, Florida, Samson Metal Engineering and Manufacturing is a premier provider of engineering, welding, machining, and assembly services, serving industries such as aerospace, power generation, and entertainment. Certified to AS9100D:2016 and ISO 9001:2015, Samson Metal is equipped to meet the most demanding project requirements. Their high-quality, robust welding staff, proficient in advanced techniques like 6G welding, ensures top-tier precision and reliability, positioning them as a vital partner amid the welder shortage.
A High-Quality, Robust Welding Staff
Samson Metal’s welding team is a cornerstone of its success, distinguished by:
- Certified Expertise: Welders are trained and certified to ASME and AWS standards, ensuring compliance with rigorous industry codes. This certification is critical for producing weldments that meet structural and safety requirements in high-stakes applications.
- Diverse Skill Set: The team is skilled in multiple welding processes, including Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW/MIG), Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (GTAW/TIG), and Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW), allowing flexibility to handle various materials and project complexities.
- 6G Welding Capabilities: Samson Metal’s welders excel in 6G welding, the most challenging pipe welding certification, which involves welding a fixed pipe at a 45-degree angle in all positions (flat, horizontal, vertical, and overhead). This capability is essential for industries like aerospace and energy, where precision welds on complex geometries, such as titanium or stainless steel piping, are required. The 6G certification demonstrates the team’s ability to produce defect-free welds under demanding conditions, ensuring structural integrity and leak-tight performance.
-
Commitment to Quality: Samson’s welders undergo continuous training to stay updated on the latest welding technologies and techniques, such as pulse MIG and advanced arc control, which enhance weld quality and consistency. Their rigorous quality management system, backed by in-house inspection and non-destructive testing, ensures every weld meets or exceeds client specifications.
Delivering Top Quality and Precision
Samson Metal’s welding staff delivers exceptional results through:
-
Precision Welding for Critical Applications: In aerospace, where components must withstand extreme conditions, Samson’s 6G-certified welders produce welds with minimal distortion and superior strength. For example, titanium weldments for aircraft or spacecraft require precise control to avoid heat-affected zone weaknesses, which Samson achieves through GTAW and post-weld heat treatment.
- Complex Weldments: Samson handles large and intricate assemblies, such as pressure vessels for power generation or structural components for entertainment ride systems. Their ability to perform 6G welding on heavy-walled pipes ensures robust joints that withstand high pressures and dynamic loads.
- Aesthetic and Functional Finishes: For applications requiring both performance and appearance, such as entertainment industry weldments, Samson’s welders produce clean, aesthetically pleasing welds that are free of spatter and imperfections, often followed by post-weld machining for a polished finish.
- Turnkey Solutions: Samson’s 53,000 sq. ft. facility, equipped with over 15 welding stations, CNC machining centers, and heavy-duty cranes, allows seamless integration of welding, machining, and assembly. This capability ensures that welded components are finished to exact tolerances, reducing the risk of rework and enhancing project efficiency.
Addressing the Welder Shortage
Samson Metal Engineering and Manufacturing mitigates the impact of the welder shortage through proactive strategies:
- In-House Training Programs: Samson invests in training its welders, fostering a pipeline of skilled professionals. By offering opportunities to achieve certifications like 6G, they attract and retain top talent, countering the industry’s aging workforce challenge.
-
Collaboration with Educational Institutions: Samson partners with local technical schools and apprenticeship programs to promote welding careers, helping to build a new generation of welders. This aligns with AWS efforts to improve public perception and increase enrollment in welding programs.
-
Leveraging Technology: Samson integrates advanced welding technologies, such as robotic welding for repetitive tasks, to complement its skilled workforce. This approach enhances productivity while allowing certified welders to focus on high-skill tasks like 6G welding.
- Employee Retention: By offering competitive wages, robust benefits, and opportunities for career advancement, Samson maintains a stable, experienced welding staff, reducing turnover and ensuring consistent quality.
Case Study: Aerospace Titanium Weldment
Consider an aerospace client requiring a titanium piping system for a satellite propulsion unit. The project demands 6G welding to join heavy-walled pipes at complex angles, ensuring leak-tight performance under high-pressure conditions. Samson’s team:
- Conducts a detailed project analysis to assess material properties and weld distortion risks, given titanium’s heat sensitivity.
- Employs GTAW with 6G-certified welders to produce precise, defect-free welds, verified through non-destructive testing.
- Performs post-weld heat treatment to relieve residual stresses, followed by CNC machining to achieve tight tolerances.
- Delivers a fully assembled, tested component that meets AS9100D standards, on time and within budget.
This project showcases Samson’s ability to deliver precision welding in a shortage-constrained environment, leveraging their skilled staff and advanced capabilities.
Why Samson Metal Stands Out
Samson Metal Engineering and Manufacturing’s robust welding staff and 6G welding capabilities make them a trusted partner for clients facing the challenges of the welder shortage. Their commitment to quality, backed by certifications, advanced equipment, and a customer-centric approach, ensures that projects are completed with unparalleled precision and reliability. Key differentiators include:
- Industry Versatility: Serving aerospace, power generation, entertainment, and more, Samson adapts its welding expertise to diverse applications.
- Comprehensive Services: From design to welding, machining, and testing, Samson offers end-to-end solutions that streamline production and minimize risks.
- Proactive Workforce Development: By training welders and engaging with educational programs, Samson helps address the industry’s long-term labor needs.
Conclusion
The AWS-projected welder shortage of 360,000 professionals by 2027 underscores the urgent need for skilled welding talent in the U.S. As industries grapple with retirements, growing demand, and perception challenges, companies like Samson Metal Engineering and Manufacturing in Lakeland, Florida, are leading the way with their high-quality, robust welding staff. Their expertise in 6G welding, commitment to precision, and proactive approach to workforce development enable them to deliver top-tier weldments for critical applications. For clients seeking reliable, high-performance welding solutions in a shortage-constrained market, Samson Metal is a partner that combines skill, technology, and innovation to exceed expectations.
For more information on how Samson Metal Engineering and Manufacturing can support your welding needs, visit their website or contact their Lakeland, Florida, facility.
