Miller Fabrication Solutions is committed to improving our employees’ lives. One of the ways we achieved that goal last year was by reinstating our innovative weld school program. This on-the-job training provides a new opportunity for employees to grow and advance their careers while also helping us address the ongoing skilled labor shortage in manufacturing.

Our four-week weld school is designed for full-time employees with a passion for learning. It provides a unique pathway for employees to transition into skilled welding roles. While they’re in weld school, students continue their regular job responsibilities for half the day and spend the other four hours with welding trainers. Classes cover critical skills, including blueprint reading, metal properties and identification, electrical principles, welding symbols and equipment operation and setup.

Since June 2024, 11 employees have completed the training and are now working at Miller as professional welders. Casey Sharp, who started at Miller in June 2023 as a paint utility worker, is a recent weld school graduate. He began working full-time as a welder after completing the weld school in June 2024.

“I always wanted to get into welding,” Sharp said. “This program is a great opportunity for anyone interested in advancing their career.”

After completing the weld school training, students must pass a weld test to move to welder positions at Miller. Before the program ceased operation in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, 89% of employees who graduated from the program advanced into welding roles with the company.

“Miller’s weld school is about investing in our people and giving them the tools to build successful, long-term careers in manufacturing,” said Ashley Lindemuth, HR director. “It also helps to fulfill our increasing need for quality welders. The skilled labor shortage continues to challenge manufacturing companies like ours. With the upcoming opening of our Pine Creek facility and significant business growth, programs like the weld school are crucial in developing the talent we need.”

Miller’s original weld school landed the company a 2019 National Association of Manufacturers Manufacturing Leadership Award for outstanding achievement in talent management leadership.