business backgrounder | manufacturing
A Joint Effort to Support the Welding Workforce
The cross-sector MAC Welding and Fabrication Project seeks to streamline and standardize welding education across the state.
Debbie Ritenour
The maritime, agriculture & natural resources, and construction sectors are partnering with regional K-12 networks and community and technical colleges across the state to develop an industry-aligned welding program of study.
At A Glance
The U. S. will need 320,500 new welding professionals by 2029.
Welding is a foundational skill set that is applicable across industries and sectors in Washington.
A new educational framework will help ensure welding students gain the skills and knowledge they need to meet employer needs and build a successful career.
Carter Johnson prepares structural steel for assembly at Grays Harbor College.
According to the American Welding Society, the United States will need 320,500 new welding professionals by 2029. Many of those professionals will be sought right here in Washington. As the state balances upgrading aging infrastructure with developing new projects, welders will play a critical role.
A new statewide project aims to ensure those welders are not only available, but highly skilled.
The Maritime, Agriculture & Natural Resources, and Construction( MAC) Welding and Fabrication Project is working to streamline welding education and training by developing a framework that is accessible, scalable and adaptable to other industry sectors. Led by the corresponding Career Connect Washington( CCW) sector leaders, the project includes three community and technical colleges( Grays Harbor College,
“ A small investment is being leveraged for a big payoff.”
— Cathy LeCompte, dean of workforce education at Grays Harbor College
Maritime, Agriculture & Natural Resources, and Construction( MAC) Welding and Fabrication Project www. washingtonmaritimecareers. org / mac-project spring 2025 45