around for thousands of years and has dramatically influenced the development of our current world? Welding, the art and science of joining two types of metals, is a career path that offers a wide array of job prospects and good earnings potential. In America today, welders are in high demand. Many of the currently employed welders are nearing retirement age, leaving openings for newly trained welders. The construction and manufacturing industries, which rely heavily on welders, are busier than ever. Welding is a career that can be entered into at any age with any kind of background or education. College is not required, though formal training at a technical school is strongly encouraged. However, it is also possible to go straight into the work force through an apprenticeship with little more than a high school diploma or GED and maybe a few welding or shop classes. Apprenticeships for welding are offered through local unions. Typically, the union pays for three to five years of classroom and on-the-job training designed to prepare the apprentice for certification and promotion to full journeyman status - complete with a significant pay raise. Anyone can get training without joining a union by enrolling in a welding program at a technical school. Training programs can be completed quickly and are often cost-free. Most technical schools offer financial aid, and some employers will foot the bill to make sure their new welders are properly prepared. Students can start with basic training that will teach them enough to land an entry-level job. There are also more than 80 welding techniques and specialty areas, many of which offer specific certifications. The most successful welders continue to take more classes and obtain more certifications because it is the best way to increase earnings potential. Starting off in the field of welding, the pay usually ranges between $10 and $15 an hour, but highly trained and experienced welders can end up earning over $60,000 and more a year. The best of the best can make $100,000 plus, annually. The raise in salary can also come from a willingness to work in remote places, such as deep sea welding. In addition to good wages, a welding career offers a number of attractive features. Welders can work anywhere in the world. The skills and techniques can be applied anywhere, from the bottom of the ocean to outer space. Even in the most common industries, there are opportunities to move around and pursue work that aligns with personal interests. For example, a welder working in an auto factory in chilly Detroit could have a desire to be closer to the beaches where the sun is warm and the fishing is exceptional. The same skills used to build cars can be transferred to building ships. Experienced welders can move into numerous related fields as well, such as research, engineering, teaching, and sales. Welding offers many opportunities for people who enjoy working with their hands and being in control of the development and potential of their career.