Want to explore what's new in welding training equipment for your CTE and workforce development programs in New England? There have been many welding innovations in the industry and in education, from robots to augmented reality! We have collected some of our favorite solutions to consider for your welding training programs.
Robotic Welding Systems
336,000 new welding professionals are projected to be needed by 2026, with an average of 84,000 welding jobs to be filled each year nationally. Unfortunately, there are not enough skilled workers to fill these jobs, so small-to-midsize manufacturers use robotic welding systems, like the Vectis Cobot Welding Tool, to fill demand in the labor shortage.
Vectis Cobot Welding Tool, powered by Universal Robots
The Vectis Cobot Welding Tool performs robotic welding tasks, integrated with the Universal Robots collaborative robot. Collaborative robots (cobots) are known for their safety in working alongside humans, so it's a versatile solution for the workforce and for welding training equipment. The Vectis Cobot Welding Tool comes on a mobile cart so you can move the robotic welding machine around the classroom next to your students.
The Vectis Cobot Welding Tool is also easy-to-use and not intimidating to students who lack programming experience. It comes with "Let's Weld Together" software, designed by software engineers who weld, to make programming quick and easy. After the initial set-up, people can start welding within hours of arrival.
Virtual Welding Training Systems
Virtual learning has become more common over the past couple of years, which is also the case for welding training equipment. Virtual welding training systems, like the Miller AugmentedArc Augmented Reality Welding System, provide students with real-time feedback to reinforce proper welding practices and correct errors before live welding. Virtual welding also minimizes material costs by saving on wire, gas, and workpieces.
Miller AugmentedArc Augmented Reality Welding System
The Miller AugmentedArc Augmented Reality Welding System is the industry's most realistic simulation for welding training equipment. It benefits students with beginner to advanced welding experience with simulations for multiple welding processes, blending real-world and computer-generated images into a unique, augmented reality environment.
Instructors are provided with a user-friendly learning management system where you can create and manage your welding curriculum and track student progress. The teacher software comes with pre-developed exercises for welding level 1 and 2 NCCER curriculum, which correlates with AWS SENSE standards and guidelines.
Funding Welding Training Equipment
We don't want to get you excited about these new welding innovations without providing options for how to fund them. Here are some funding options to explore for your welding training program:
ESSER Funds - Instructional equipment and Perkins activities are among the allowable uses for ESSER federal funds that your school district may have been awarded. Our Guide to Emergency Relief Funds has more information.
Strengthening Community Colleges Training Grants Program - This grant program from the U.S. Department of Labor builds the capacity of community colleges to address identified equity gaps and meet the skill development needs of employers in in-demand industries and career pathways leading to quality jobs. The next application deadline is June 2, 2022. In New England, Norwalk Community College in Connecticut has benefited from this grant for its healthcare program.
American Welding Society (AWS) Welding Workforce Grant - Grants of up to $25,000 are available to improve and expand training programs and institutions to increase the number of welding graduates across the country. The application deadline for this year has passed, but look out for it to open again soon. Past New England grant recipients include Old Colony Regional Vocational Technical High School and Diman Regional Vocational Technical High School in Massachusetts.
Are you interested in exploring welding training equipment for your New England CTE or workforce development programs? The AET Labs team can help! We are your local partner, from deciding which equipment is right for your program to guidance on grant funding to 1-on-1 instructor training when you get the equipment! Contact us to get started.
