Business View Magazine | Volume 8, Issue 7

11 BUSINESS VIEW MAGAZINE VOLUME 8, ISSUE 7 AIRGAS ANNOUNCES EXPANSION OF HIGH SCHOOL WELDING EDUCATION INITIATIVE A irgas, an Air Liquide company and a leading U.S. supplier of industrial, medical and specialty gases, safety and welding products, recently announced the expansion of its High School Welding Education Initiative to 23 new schools and 6 returning schools. These programs were selected from a large number of excellent nominations based on four key factors: high unmet need at the school; a productive welding program with the potential to graduate job-ready welders; passionate teachers; and enthusiastic Airgas local champions. 2021 Participating Schools Participating schools will receive a customized mix of hands-on professional development training or continuing education for welding teachers, welding consumables or equipment, safety PPE - such as RADNOR® welding and safety products - and other resources. The program also builds long-term relationships with local education leaders and Airgas welding and safety experts. As more schools participate in this program, Airgas is fielding increased interest and support from customers, suppliers, government officials, and Air Liquide colleagues, stemming from shared interest in boosting career opportunities and cultivating the next generation of welders. The U.S. will need over 375,000 welding professionals by 2023 to fill job openings, according to recent projections accounting OPENING L INES