To highlight unique careers and companies in the welding and metal fabrication industries, the American Welding Society launches Metal America, a new video series streaming exclusively on YouTube.

From roller coaster fabrication to automated welding robots, each episode, ranging from 10-15 minutes, follows AWS’ Stephanie Hoffman as she visits fabricators across the country to explore some of the industry’s most unique careers. Viewers will get a peek inside metal fabrication shops, schools, shipbuilders, and more.

“The American Welding Society Foundation promotes the incredible career opportunities available in the welding industry, but until a person sees it for themselves, it’s hard to envision what it’s like to be in a metal fabrication shop or large manufacturing facility,” said Monica Pfarr, Executive Director of the AWS Foundation. “With this series, we hope to peel back the curtain to show what it’s like to work in various careers within the welding industry.”

First stops of the series include Fire & Safety Services – Plainfield, NJ; Arc + Flame School – Rochester, NY; Trident Precision Manufacturing – Webster, NY; Path Robotics – Columbus, OH; Clermont Steel Fabricators – Batavia, OH; Mill Mechanical – Monroe, OH, and Philly Shipyard – Philadelphia, PA. During each episode, Stephanie joins fabricators as they work on their projects, getting a behind-the-scenes look and crash course into their methods and procedures.

“It has been amazing to visit each one of these companies, where people come to work each day with a huge smile on their faces and then get to work building some of the most rad machines and products on the planet,” said host Stephanie Hoffman. “They are an inspiration and proof that manufacturing in America is not only making a comeback but thriving.”

Catch new episodes on AWS’ YouTube channel starting in April. To learn about the careers highlighted in the videos and other careers in the industry, visit CareersinWelding.com

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 60,000 members worldwide, is composed of 22 Districts with 250 Sections and Student Chapters, and includes more than 1500 volunteers in over 200 technical committees, subcommittees and task groups. For more information, visit the American Welding Society’s website at aws.org.

About AWS Foundation: Founded in 1989, the AWS Foundation is the philanthropic arm of the American Welding Society, the nonprofit organization with a global mission to advance the science, technology, and application of welding and allied joining and cutting processes. The AWS Foundation works to ensure the growth and development of the welding industry through various initiatives, including career awareness, scholarship programs, and grants to institutions that offer welding education and training. As a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) charitable organization, we rely on the generosity of our partners who understand the value of welding and its role in building a better, stronger economy.aws.org/foundation.