Welders are in great demand in the region and across the nation. Learn about exciting opportunities at the Welding Career & Training Expo from 3-6 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 1, at the Missouri Job Center of St. Charles County. 

Organized by the St. Charles County Department of Workforce & Business Development and St. Charles Community College, the expo will include stations for attendees to try a virtual welder, meet with instructors and employers and learn about training opportunities and scholarships. Attendees also can win prizes and enjoy light refreshments. 

“The American Welding Society estimates there will be a shortage of nearly 300,000 welders in the U.S. by 2020,” said Scott J. Drachnik, director of the County's Workforce & Business Development Department. “Currently there are companies throughout St. Charles County and the St. Louis region eager to hire experienced welders or ready to train new welders. Expo attendees can find out about all the opportunities available and gain a better understanding of what it's like to work in this field.”  

To register or for more information about the Welding Career & Training Expo, contact Fay Aubuchon at 636-922-8546 or faubuchon@stchas.edu. 

Additionally, the Missouri Job Center of St. Charles County and St. Charles Community College provide the following related opportunities:  

  • The Missouri Job Center of St. Charles County offers a manufacturing apprenticeship program that helps pay for training costs and wage reimbursements for people interested in starting or advancing in a welding career. For more information, visit sccmo.org/Apprenticeship or contact Vicki Swartzenberg at 636-255-6060, ext. 5250, or vswartzenberg@sccmo.org. 
  • Welding classes at St. Charles Community College start in August and are certified by the American Welding Society. A Basic Welding Certificate can be earned in 16 weeks or an associate degree in Advanced Welding after four semesters. For more information, visit stchas.edu or contact Fay Aubuchon at 636-922-8546 or faubuchon@stchas.edu. 

St. Charles Community College is a public, comprehensive two-year community college with associate degrees and certificate programs in the arts, business, sciences and career-technical fields. SCC provides workforce training and community-based personal and professional development as well as cultural, recreational and entertainment opportunities. For more information, visit www.stchas.edu.