The AWS Foundation’s Careers in Welding Mobile Exhibit is gearing up to hit the road for its 2022 tour. Since 2011, the Careers in Welding Trailer has been a driving force for welding education and career development. The trailer’s first stop of the season is at the Cheyenne Frontier Days in Cheyenne, Wyoming, from July 28-31, 2022.
“I’m looking forward to being back on the road spreading the good word about this incredible trade,” said Stephanie Hoffman, Program Manager Workforce Development, AWS Foundation.
The Careers in Welding Trailer has been refreshed from the inside out, with new exhibits and an exterior that’s sure to catch the attention of prospective members of the welding workforce. Sponsored by Lincoln Electric, the 53-foot single-expandable trailer provides visitors the opportunity to try their hand at virtual welding on the VRTEX® 360 Virtual Reality Welding Simulator. Participants can compete for the highest score of the day to win a $1,000 welding scholarship.
“In 2021, on behalf of the AWS Foundation, I awarded $51,000 in scholarships during the length of the tour, and this year we are excited to do it again,” said Ms. Hoffman.
Visitors will also have the chance to experience exhibits designed to engage the senses and spark an interest in the welding industry, as well as get up close to the “Metal Maiden,” a five-foot tall metal-art sculpture in the likeness of the Statue of Liberty, created by Stephanie Hoffman and Barbie the Welder as part of the AWS Arc-2-Art project.
Upcoming tour stops include Sioux Falls, SD; Des Moines, Iowa; Sedalia, Missouri; Woodlands, Texas; Hutchinson, Kansas; London, Ohio; Cleveland, Ohio; Moultrie, Georgia; Indianapolis, Indiana; and more before making a stop at FABTECH 2022 in Atlanta, Georgia.
From November 8-10, the Careers in Welding Mobile Exhibit will be parked in Hall A on the FABTECH show floor and welcomes local welding students and educators for tours and Q/A sessions. The AWS Foundation will also be hosting their Arcs & Ales networking event and a Women in Welding gathering with appearances from AWS Senior Leadership, including CEO, Gary Konarska II.
To check out the entire 2022 tour schedule, including confirmed tour stops, please visit www.careersinwelding.com/mobile-exhibit. To schedule a media visit or interview, call Trish Fliss at 800-443-9353, ext. 420.
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About AWS: The American Welding Society is the worldwide authority in the development of standards, certifications and educational programming for the welding, allied joining and cutting community. We are a not-for-profit organization committed to connecting the welding industry to our extensive collection of resources, informing our of technological advancements and developing the next generation of welding professionals with the help of the AWS Foundation. AWS serves over 67,000 members worldwide, is composed of 22 Districts with 250 Sections and Student Chapters, and includes more than 1,800 volunteers in over 200 technical committees, subcommittees and task groups. For more information, visit the American Welding Society’s website at aws.org.
