COMMUNITY SKILLS TRAINING
We are dedicated to teaching the art and science of welding and supporting a strong pipeline of industry- ready welders. We recognize the exciting career pathways available for students and young professionals who leverage welding as a core skill. We actively work with schools, military, and youth organizations that share our passion for science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM), as well as our vision for the future of welding. We are working together to excite the next generation and reinforce our industry’s high standards for education, safety, and quality for years to come. Our key collaborative programs include:
We founded the James F. Lincoln Foundation (JFLF) in 1936, as a non-profit welding education organization when the arc welding industry was in its infancy. The JFLF is dedicated to disseminating arc welding information, educating students of all levels on the art and science of arc welding, encouraging them to pursue welding careers and granting cash awards to recognize technical achievements in welding projects.
We participate in the U.S. military’s Training With Industry (TWI) program which embeds service members into our organization for twelve months to help develop and perfect their arc welding and cutting skills and position them as an instructor in welding processes and procedures. The TWI experience provides leading on-the-job experience and industrial skills that are then carried back to the military, where TWI service members spend two years actively teaching what they learned.
Since 2011, we have partnered with AWS to support the AWS Careers in Welding Trailer to promote welding education and careers. The trailer successfully covers 11,000 miles annually, highlighting our immersive virtual reality training. Additionally, we actively support several scholarships with AWS to promote STEM and welding-related degrees.
SkillsUSA is a partnership of students, teachers and industry representatives, working together to ensure America has a skilled work force. It is a national organization serving teachers and high school and college students who are preparing for careers in technical, skilled and service occupations, including health occupations. We are proud to be a sponsor of their welding competition. Lincoln Electric is also engaged with other regional Skills organizations.
4-H offers opportunities in communications, leadership, career development, livestock, home improvement, and computer technology to seven million American youth. Programs are found in rural and urban areas throughout the country and similar programs around the world.
We have been a sponsor of the Future Farmers of America (FFA) — a premiere youth leadership organization. For over 60 years, we have partnered with FFA to promote welding technology and safety to the next generation of future leaders.
We are a proud sponsor of Scouts BSA — one of the nation’s largest and most prominent values-based youth development organizations. Scouts BSA believes that introducing youth to skilled trades like welding is a key to building a more conscientious, responsible, and productive society. In 2012 the Scouts BSA developed a new welding merit badge in conjunction with the American Welding Society and Lincoln Electric.
WorldSkills International is a not-for-profit membership association open to agencies or bodies which have a responsibility for promoting vocational education and training in their respective countries/regions. WorldSkills International provides a unique means of exchange and comparison of world-class competency standards in the industrial trades and service sectors of the global economy. We are proud to exclusively sponsor their international welding competition.