Hey OBEWAN,
Your post kinda "stoked my coals" regarding the opinions & general career outlook on the welding arena and the level of intelligence of "lay people". If "lay people" were educated in the level of degreed careers and made to understand the parameters of education required to obtain that welding degree, maybe more would give considerations to investigating a welding career either as an engineer or "just a welder". I consider myself a "professional" regarding the facets of metalworking I do, and I am proud to wear that moniker--"WELDER"!!! I live a very comfortable lifestyle, have all my "toys" and great shop equip. & facility, and the time-off periods so I can relax and enjoy the fruits of my labor being partially retired. I worked hard for these benefits of freedom and finances. The problem today with the last 2 generations of lazy, under-educated, callous-free, lily-white fingered, silver spoon-fed, no respect, no honor, no outlook, no hunger to learn, spend-thrift collection of "DUUUHHHHHHH!!!!!" pea-brains, is because of the parents and education systems. I'm 63 now and grew in my youth to learn the work ethics of my generation and parents. Work was and IS quite healthy.....that's why you see what the youth of today look like, talk like, and live like. DUUUUHHHH!!!!!
That article was interesting but shed no light or truth on the causes of this shortage and future shortage of all the trades professionals. Most companies want great workers with great work ethics, superb skills, powerful brain patterns, but do not want to compensate for them. They would rather out-source it to a foreign country with slave worker wages. So, who is to blame?
My other comment would be your statement: "am not too proud to do that task".......please elaborate or clarify that statement. Does it mean you feel welding is not below your standards, or do you mean it is demeaning work as to your level of education? Seems to me that an engineer who has a working knowledge in his area of expertise, would be a better engineer with the "hands-on" experience of knowing the physical properties of the metal joining configurations he/she engineers. Just MHO.......Denny