Florida MEP Seeks to Identify Companies in Florida’s High Tech Corridor That Need Qualified Welders in Order to Provide Skilled Welders Through a Grant-Funded Program
Celebration, Florida (PRWEB) June 30, 2014 -- The Florida Manufacturing Extension Partnership (Florida MEP) is seeking to identify companies in Florida’s High Tech Corridor that need qualified welders. Florida MEP will train and place qualified individuals into welding jobs through the Skilled American Workers Program, at no cost to the employer or trainee.
Florida MEP’s Advanced Manufacturing Training Program is funded by a $5M grant from the U.S. Department of Labor, and trains potential employees in welding including TIG, MIG and stick welding up to and including certification for 6G nuclear welding.
A non-profit organization, Florida MEP’s innovative Advanced Manufacturing Training Program has currently trained 247 individuals and placed 190 new hires into well-paying jobs with 33 employers in multiple industries such as aviation/aerospace including customized aircraft, composite fabricators for aircraft interiors, firearm manufacturers, ship building and repair, stainless steel medical-related equipment, specialized seating for NASCAR and aerospace, and components used in nuclear energy.
A number of individuals in Florida who have been unemployed or underemployed, now have well-paying jobs as welders as a result of Florida MEP’s Advanced Manufacturing Training Program. Both men and women can participate in welding training, in fact an increasing number of women are now discovering the rewards of a career as a skilled welder.
Florida MEP utilizes a new and innovative virtual training platform in order to address the shortage of skilled welders facing many manufacturers nationwide. The Florida MEP Advanced Manufacturing Training Program utilizes high-tech mobile classrooms equipped with CNC machines and the latest in Lincoln Electric's High Technology Virtual Reality Welding Simulators.
"Florida MEP's Mobile Welding Training Labs are equipped with two Virtual Reality Simulators to provide the training applicant the latest in high tech welding training simulation experience," said Mike Myers, Welding Instructor. "From 1G to 6G Virtual Platforms, Florida MEP welding instructors are able to view the applicant's skill sets and record every weld the applicant makes during the training program."
"This custom virtual training provides the ability for the instructors to coach the applicants on everything from contact to work distance, correct position, angles, correct fillet size and to highlight quality and poor quality procedures," Myers said. "With the ability to train not only correct processes and proper welding distribution and theory, the virtual welders in this customized mobile classroom setting allow the student to immediately transition to live welding on the shop floor within minutes to master the skill sets needed by the employer."
“The Florida MEP Advanced Manufacturing Training Classes have enjoyed tremendous success and have provided Florida manufacturers with custom curriculum training to deliver everything from 1-2-3-4-5-6G-6GR Carbon Steel Applications to Pro Torch Cutting and Safety Training, Plasma Cutting, Sub-Arc, and Custom Nuclear 2-3-4-5-6G Duplex Stainless, Metal Core, and large wire custom applications. Our Tig classes have included many applications," Myers said.
"From thin gauge stainless steel to thick aluminum structural and aviation quality needs, our experienced welding instructors have been able to assist our Florida manufacturers with the specialized welding talent they are seeking," said Myers.
"This grant-funded program delivers a custom top-notch professional program which includes all aspects of Welding Safety, Quality Measurement, Welding Nomenclature, and an up-to-date Lean Training at absolutely no charge to the participating employer or applicant," Myers said.
Florida MEP Advanced Manufacturing Training classes are being provided to qualified candidates who have the potential to be hired by manufacturers within the 23 Florida High Tech Corridor counties. As the training is completely funded by a U.S. Department of Labor grant, there is no cost to manufacturers or trainees to participate.
If your company needs qualified welders, please contact Florida MEP today. For more information about Florida MEP’s Advanced Manufacturing Training Program and Grant-funded Welding Training, call Carol Wheatley, Program Director, at 321-626-4483.
Florida MEP is an equal opportunity employer.
About FLMEP:
The Florida MEP (FLMEP) is a not-for-profit organization that provides assistance to manufacturers to help them identify and implement advanced manufacturing and management technologies to enable them to grow and compete in the global market. FLMEP assists manufacturers by providing access to technology for improved productivity, offering workforce training in Lean manufacturing, ISO certification, ITAR compliance, exporting logistics and supply chain integration. Through FLMEP programs, many funded by grants, companies learn tactics to innovate, save money, implement more efficient management strategies and lean methodologies, resulting in immediate bottom-line impact.
If you have questions or would like more information about FLMEP programs and services, please call 321-939-4000, visit us at http://www.floridamep.org and follow us on Twitter @FloridaMEP.
Evelyn Manak, Florida MEP, http://www.floridamep.org, +1 321-939-4000, [email protected]
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