What's going on in welding education? That's a question I had to ponder when researching an article I was asked to write for the FABTECH® Show Daily, a publication distributed at this year's exhibition in Atlanta.

It's a broad question that could go in many directions, but in my research I found an interesting paradox exists for many technical and community college programs around the country—an increase in enrollment followed by a decrease in funding. The kicker here is decreased funding.

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Thom Shelow and wife Teresa Beach-Shelow of Superior Joining Technologies Inc. (SJTI), Machesney Park, Ill., had a plan, and come hell or high water, they were going to move forward.

Wanting to diversify their business (read their story, "How can laser work for you?"), they decided to act by making a significant capital equipment purchase in spite of the unfavorable economy. Today, a year later, the company's business is up in every facet—a direct result of the laser purchase—and the Shelows couldn't be happier. (more...)

Most people would agree that working is an essential part of life, and the U.S. is a country whose citizens live to work. A 2004 study titled "Overworked in America" conducted by the Families and Work Institute found that one-third of U.S. employees were chronically overworked. In the book The Overworked American, written by Harvard economist Juliet Schor, the average person works 163 hours more today than in the late 1960s, the equivalent of one month a year. According to the report "No-Vacation Nation," one in four private-sector workers in the U.S. does not receive paid vacation or paid holidays. (more...)

Some people might think that the only way to serve their country is by joining the military. If that were true, then this country, the men and women currently serving, and our national security would be in a world of trouble.

Even though they don't receive much recognition, the fact is civilians have aided military personnel since the late 1770s. Today roughly 700,000 civilians work for the Department of Defense (DOD). The Army alone employs more than 250,000 civilians, making it the DOD's largest federal employer, according to U.S. Army Civilian Personnel On-line. (more...)