Thursday, September 1, 2011

Improving training for manufacturers


Apprenticeship eff ort aims to help employers effi ciently teach basic skills to new hires


Clifford F. Lindholm III , president and CEO of Clifton-based Falstrom Co. , said a basic-skills shortage is faced by not only New Jersey manufacturers, but national ones. Lindholm, network chairman, is helping write the proposed curriculum.Lindholm said New Jersey manufacturers tend to produce niche products that require specialized skills and knowledge - but creation of those products may require certain skills, such as being able to convert fractions to decimals, that prospective employees don't have.The NJBIA is working with the New Jersey Community College Consortium for Workforce and Economic Development to write a 12-week curriculum that includes these skills, as well as basic manufacturing knowledge, covering areas like production fl ow, metallurgy and blueprint reading, and analysis.The New Jersey Business & Industry Association and the state's county colleges are working together on a pilot program to teach basic skills preparing potential employees to become apprentices."We thought we could fuse everything together," he said.By preparing a worker for the registered apprenticeship programs, the program would allow the employer to receive a $5,000 incentive from the Department of Labor and Workforce Development, according to Jaime Reichardt , director of taxation and work force development for the NJBIA."Despite the diffi cult economic times, there is a need for skilled people to work in manufacturing companies," said Lindholm, adding that his company, which makes products for the military, could benefi t from the program if it were to grow.E-mail to: akitchenman@njbiz.comParticipants who make it through a screening process would both take classes and participate in on-the-job training through an internship at an employer, with the goal of becoming an apprentice.The program is based on a survey by the NJBIA's manufacturing network, which found employers require better-skilled employees, but those manufacturers aren't always able to participate in federal and state apprentice programs, because they don't have the skills to work as tool and dye makers, welders, machinists, and technicians.Reichardt said the current state-funded apprentice program - which allows manufacturers with up to 450 employees to offset the cost of training workers - is underused. In 2010, there were 166 people registered in 32 occupations, according to Labor Department spokesman Brian Murray."The goal would be to expand it, and going forward, it's a model that I think the community colleges could put together in a lot of different industries," Reichardt said.While the new pilot program, planned for a launch at the beginning of next year, would only include up to a dozen participating employers and trainees, its planners said it would be expanded, if it wins state support when the curriculum is finalized.The colleges are in an excellent position to serve the entire state if the program is expanded, said Robert Bowman , executive director of the New Jersey Community College Consortium for Workforce and Economic Development. The curriculum would be portable across all 67 college campuses."What we want to do is design a program that will provide broad-based training, that will allow companies to customize that (training), so that they can have people come in the door and be productive," Lindholm said.NEW JERSEY MANUFACTURERS frustrated with the lack of basic skills they fi nd when looking for new workers may soon have a new source for skilled employees.

E-mail to: akitchenman@njbiz.com




Training To Be A Welder In Jacksonville Beach Florida


Training to be a welder in Jacksonville Beach, Florida is a great decision because people are always in need of welders. Thus, this is one career that could give someone longevity in their chosen job market. Welders take pieces of metal and plastic and join them together using special equipment. This is a job that is well suited for people who want to work with their hands, understand how materials can come together and work, and for those who are not afraid to work with heavy materials.


Great Career for People Good with Their HandsThe Benefits of an Associate's DegreeA Jacksonville Beach welding Associate's degree is perfect for someone who enjoy working with his or her own hands. This is because the materials are often heavy, and a person needs to be quite exact to achieve desired effects. Welders should also have a superior attention to detail because the materials are often hot and dangerous. Thus, efficiency and precision are important in this field. It will help if people have an interest in metals and chemistry, since metal is the most common material used in welding.A person can sign up for a Jacksonville Beach welding Associate's degree to gain the necessary experience. This is a smart decision. In a training school or program, one will be taught the latest techniques and will be shown the best equipment around by experienced welders and teachers. Though one can become a welder by apprenticing with a local expert, this may lead to an uneven or less than thorough education. Instead, by signing up for Jacksonville Beach welding courses, one can be taught the cutting edge tips emerging in the field, which in turn will make an individual more competitive when he or she enters the workforce. Many training schools also have job placement programs and will help connect students to area welders and companies.

This is one industry that is always in need of solid welders. After all, people really do have to train and gain the necessary experience before they enter this world. An Associate's degree in welding is smart for people who like to work with their hands, enjoy making things, aren't afraid of hot metals, and are thorough and precise with their work.




Wednesday, August 31, 2011

Lending a hand to the war effort


THIS weekend an event at Belsay Hall celebrates fashion from the 40s, but style was the last thing on the minds of the ladies from the Women's Land Army.


Picture two shows the Lionhearts of Northumberland working on a sawmill. The photograph was taken on March 22, 1943, and shows three women carrying timber.Our next picture (picture three) was taken in July 1943 and shows women, complete with face shields, being trained as welders. It was reported that after intensive training they would be sent out to shipyards and engineering works to help in turning out weapons and ships.

Our next picture (picture three) was taken in July 1943 and shows women, complete with face shields, being trained as welders. It was reported that after intensive training they would be sent out to shipyards and engineering works to help in turning out weapons and ships.




Training To Be a Welder in Saint Augustine Florida


Why Choose an Associates Degree in Welding?


Who might like a career in welding?A Saint Augustine welder career is as inspiring and diverse as the men and women who choose it. A person who likes to work with their hands will appreciate that studying welding allows a unique option to combine career with individual interest. Whether a person is an artist, scientist, race car enthusiast or diver, a Saint Augustine welding career has the key to unlock incredible opportunity.Improved technology plays a big role in employment outlook as currently 20%-25% of welding is automated. These are welders trained to operate robots or other automated systems using electron beams, lasers or explosives to bond metals and plastics. It is predicted that the automated welding field that relies on computers and software programs will grow by 20% over the next several years.Welding is part of everyday life from cell phones, to computers, the car we drive or buildings we enter without giving thought as to how they came to be. A Saint Augustine welding career can take one from outer space to work on the Space Station to ocean depths to fix an oil rig. In an associates degree program basic welding techniques, general machine shop and technical math are taught as well as other courses to prepare for entry level positions. Studying for a Saint Augustine welder career can provide great opportunities at home and around the world.What better place to begin a welding career than in Saint Augustine, Florida. Saint Augustine is the oldest city in our nation, while the welding career is an ancient trade dating back to the Bronze Age around 3500 B.C. The cultural diversity of this city is as vast as the diversity of the welder career.According to Bureau of Labor and Statistics, the median annual salary is $32,750. Depending on skill level and type of industry, the annual salary could be much higher upwards to $100,000. If a person has math and science skills to become a Welder Engineer, starting salary is $50,000. More than 50% of U.S. products are manufactured using welding processes. Employers are looking for skilled, innovative people today to help create the products of tomorrow.

A Saint Augustine welder career is as inspiring and diverse as the men and women who choose it. A person who likes to work with their hands will appreciate that studying welding allows a unique option to combine career with individual interest. Whether a person is an artist, scientist, race car enthusiast or diver, a Saint Augustine welding career has the key to unlock incredible opportunity.




Tuesday, August 30, 2011

Artist brushes up on history; Former welder has a new career - capturing our past


Byline: LINDA RICHARDS


The display can be seen in the historic towers which were designed and built by leading stained glass master craftsman and manufacturer William Wailes in 1859 for his family.In the background can be seen the new concrete bridge which was opened by Princess Diana in 1984.One of those was quite unusual."I still love painting and I hope this exhibition is an inspiration to other artists to exhibit their work," he added.Jeffrey works in an attic studio at his home in Bensham, Gateshead, and spends more than 100 painstaking hours working on each of his paintings.There's even his own version of the Battle of Trafalgar and a large frieze of the old Redheugh Bridge being dismantled in the 1980s."I hope people enjoy looking at them and perhaps they will give other people inspiration to take up painting," said Jeffrey, who first dipped his brush in the oils as a lad of 14."A guy who goes to all the James Bond conventions asked me to do a portrait of five James Bonds - Sean Connery, George Lazenby, Roger Moore, Timothy Dalton and Pierce Brosman. He said he was going to try and get it signed by each of them. He rang me to say George Lazenby had signed it but I don't know if the others did or what he did with it.""I used to watch him, then my mother bought me my first set of oil paints at 14. One of the teachers at school noticed that I was quite talented and they put me forward for doing the murals for the school plays. And I progressed from there.""There's something to suit everyone's tastes," said the dadof-two and granddad. "Portraits, floral studies, local scenes, wildlife and cartoons."CAPTION(S):They're joined by former US president John F Kennedy in a display fused by the retired welder. The show, which runs throughout August, features a mix of 37 paintings lovingly created by the 66-year-old.For his portraits of famous folk and wildlife scenes, he welds together ideas from numerous photographs, then puts his own stamp on them.Perched on the riverside, Jeffrey spent days taking sketches of the dismantling operation, then used them as a template to create an oil painting.ICONS Jeffrey Stamp's paintings of Marilyn Monroe, John F, Kennedy and John Wayne ART AND SOUL Jeffrey Stamp at Saltwell Towers in Gateshead's Saltwell Park. His work is on show thereHe's exhibited around the North East and often does bespoke commissions."My dad was very good at sketching and that's what started me off," he said.IDOLS from the silver screen's golden age star alongside Tyneside's past in a new exhibition.Images of John Wayne and Marilyn Monroe have been captured by artist Jeffrey Stamp. They grace the walls of Saltwell Towers in Gateshead's Saltwell Park.

ICONS Jeffrey Stamp's paintings of Marilyn Monroe, John F, Kennedy and John Wayne ART AND SOUL Jeffrey Stamp at Saltwell Towers in Gateshead's Saltwell Park. His work is on show there




Wednesday, August 17, 2011

Helpful Ideas for Constructing or Finding the Right Go Kart Frame


If you would like to know how to build a go kart frame there are many high quality go kart frame plans on the market to pick from. A go kart frame is the entire foundation for your go kart and must be built correctly for maximum enjoyment. You have got several alternatives that can enable you to establish the amount of labor you'll need to put in before racing around in your brand new go cart.


Beginning with a good kit is the simplest tactic if you are making your very first go kart. As soon as you have a little skill and experience you may want to try constructing one on your own. If you'll be riding your gokart on level surfaces it is going to be less complicated and less expensive to make. Off road go karts need a roll cage attached to the frame and are therefore more difficult and higher priced to make or buy.One last examination prior to the final weldingPreviously-welded go kart frames can be purchased low-priced on-line, you just need to do a little searching. Be certain you get a kit that includes all necessary components for a complete frame or go cart. You do not want to be searching for various components throughout the construction process because it will take all the fun out of the project.Beginning with a good go kart frame kit has its benefitsIf you make the decision to do your own welding you'll either need a MIG welder or have access to one. If you don't have a MIG welder at your disposal you'll be able to get a go cart frame kit that already has the welding done. Buying an already-welded frame kit has the advantage of having a steering hoop attached. This is one of the most difficult components of building a kart, therefore having the steering hoop previously attached will remove some possible frustrations.If you are planning on doing all of your own welding you should have a sizable level surface to work on. You can actually use a concrete floor, however a sizable work bench has two benefits. A work bench can enable you to work at an elevated level and makes it possible to use clamps to clamp things down when required.Welding or not welding, that's the question. If you would like to weld your own you have two options. You'll either make and weld your frame from scratch or purchase a go kart frame kit which has not been welded yet, which will additionally include a set of go kart frame plans.Be certain all of the pieces are in the appropriate placeWhen welding your go kart frame the very first thing you want to do is precisely measure the exact midpoint of the front axle. After that, position the frame parts in the proper position on the work bench. When everything is in place, begin by tack welding it all together, beginning at the front axle and working your way to the rear bumper. Be certain the joints are welded strong enough so that they will not separate when moving the frame about.Your next step is to perform your final welding duties. Secure the frame to the work table, making certain it is square and aligned correctly. This can keep the frame from warping. Stick to the directions that you have and weld all the joints. After welding is completed it's a simple task to finish the kit based on the plans that came with the kit.You can choose to weld or not weld, it is your choice

Your next step is to perform your final welding duties. Secure the frame to the work table, making certain it is square and aligned correctly. This can keep the frame from warping. Stick to the directions that you have and weld all the joints. After welding is completed it's a simple task to finish the kit based on the plans that came with the kit.




Author: Joshua Harding


Tuesday, August 16, 2011

How Welding Schools Help Military Veterans Further Their Education


It may come as no surprise that highly skilled and trained welders are in demand right now. Because of that demand, training could never be more accessible for those who need and deserve it, such as military veterans. Our country has managed to create programs nationwide that acknowledge the need for veterans to get training in such fields along with training to get back into the workforce. For veterans, receiving training in welding could be an excelled career move after leaving the service. There are many schools and programs currently offering the latest advances in welding training as well as Tuition assistance program to veterans.


Welding is a process that joins metals or thermoplastics through coalescence. A strong bond is achieved by melting the individual pieces with heat and pressure. Hundreds of industries utilize the skills of welders and master welders. Becoming a skilled welder and mastering the latest techniques requires very specific training that can be found through specialized welding schools.Funding Options Available to Military Veterans Returning to SchoolMany schools offer welding programs specifically reserved and designed for veterans to help them accelerate through the program. Some schools offer programs open for veteran enrollment and include emphasis on skills needed to re-enter the workplace. Others offer veterans assistance and some even offer training for free. The military scholarships offered will vary by school and by state. There have been many changes to the post 9/11 GI Bill and veterans can also use the funding to attend trade school for a skill like welding after leaving the military. If your school does not have a program from veterans, the Department of Veterans Affairs can direct vets on how to secure funding for a welding career utilizing the GI Bill.

Welding is a high demand career, and that demand is expected to continue to boom in the coming years, especially as technology in the industry continues to advance and evolve. As veterans leave the military service and look for a career that takes skill and specific training, and perhaps a career that even utilizes some of the training they received in the service, a career in welding may make sense. Whether a person served in the Army, Navy, Air Force or Marines, veterans will find many schools willing to welcome them with open arms and scholarships.




Author: William Hauselberg