Inside the Colorado Con
vention Center in Denver this July, the brightest minds of welding gathered for the International Institute of Welding conference. Right across the street from the conference, at the Miller Road Show Truck, wide eyed and eager boy scouts were learning to weld and earning the new Boy Scouts of America welding merit badge thanks to efforts from Miller, AWS and volunteer instructors.
The Boys Scouts of America (BSA) has been a part of the lives of young men for more than 100 years –- not quite as long as welding has been around, but both the act of welding and the involvement in scouting have been important in the American story and worldwide success. In February the BSA unveiled the first official connection between Scouting and welding: Scouts can now earn a welding merit badge. It all came together thanks to a member of the American Welding Society and his fond memories of being a Scout.
The weldin
g badge will certainly inspire more young people to become involved in and gain a passion for welding. The ultimate impact will be more skilled workforce moving into welding and welding related careers and having a positive influence on the future needs of industry.
