Smarter, bigger, faster, safer: how welding technology is meeting the challenges of the twenty-first century

摘要

In September 2017 Sandvik reported strong sales of its welding products, materials and solutions (up 25%). This is part of a global surge in demand for welding expertise, especially from China and NAFTA. This growth in demand has added to a skills shortage that has existed for a number of years. According to Daniel Groves, Director of Construction Labor Market Analyzer, certain crafts such as welding are projected to have a shortage of 200,000 over the next few years for all non-residential construction in the USA, as older workers retire and there are not enough younger people to take their place (1). Mega-projects in high-growth areas such as the Middle East and Asia are likely to be the most affected by these shortages.