Women in welding at UARM

useful, but something they can take home.”

Female students created something different at a previous event they held. Moody held up a stainless-steel ‘I love you’ hand that stands on its own. Its design allows it to hold rings and jewelry.

“Some of them have welded before,” Moody said. “That kind of helps. It’s to get them an idea of the trade, what it’s like, the safety measures you have to deal with to do the work properly and safely.”

Though the job is not glamorous, welders are generally making something that will last. A steady hands and great eyes are preferred, but there are ways to compensate. Several studies over the years have suggested that on average women have steadier hands than men and are more ideal at welding, soldering and brazing.

Welding processes

“We’re doing a seamless MIG right now, but we’ve got other stations set up for them to try some things,” Moody said, “some stick welding or plasma welding, torch cutting. We’ve been trying to give them something to do while they’re waiting for somebody else.”

The UARM welding course culminates with an Associate of Applied Science Degree (AAS), specifically AAS Advanced Manufacturing, upon completion of the twoyear course.

“They get a certificate, but as far as a certification, I take them to [UA] Fort Smith and they test them there. If they pass the test there, then they’re certified. We also have a deal they can use, like machine tool classes as an elective to welding; welding classes as an elective to machine tools. If they go another semester, they come out of here with two associate degrees — one in welding and one in machine tools. I have had three or four students who have done that so far.”

“Our main course is a two-semester structural steel welding course. Then we have a separate MIG and flux cored course. More companies are going to using MIG and flux cored because it’s faster. We have a semester of TIG welding that’s really a lot of hands-on stuff. That takes the longest to learn. We have plasma cutting, oxy-fuel cutting and we have what is called an air-carbon art gouger that takes welds back out instead of putting them in.”

“I’m just trying to get them to take as much as we offer. With me being the only instructor, it’s kind of hard to offer more. For instance, we don’t have pipe welding course, but when they do well enough in the plate and structural, I’ll put them on pipe. I’ve got pipe to put them on. I tell them don’t ever worry about having something to weld,” Moody said with a laugh.

Welding careers

The industry has a high demand for people with such skills. According to the American Welding Society, more than 300,000 job openings are expected in 2024. Their reasoning is older welders are reaching retirement age and not enough young people are joining their ranks, which Moody agreed with.

“More and more people like me are retiring. The whole thing about the ladies, is that in the United States, ladies make up 3% of the welding workforce. In Canada, it’s 6%. There’s lots of room for them to grow in welding. I’ve worked with some excellent lady welders. I know they can do it just as good as guys.”

Career websites show a salary range of $28,000-$57,000 for welding. Specialized welders can sometimes make six figures, but it takes going where the jobs are.

“In this area there’s just not a lot of demand for welders,” Moody said. “Right now, Tulsa is screaming for welders. They’re begging for them. It’s all a matter of being willing to go off.

“I was really fortunate. I worked for Nidec in their fab shop for three years. I was gone and worked construction. I came back and got in on the Mena hospital addition. I welded probably 95% of the pipe in there. I went off and worked construction some more, came back, went to work at Nidec running a CNC [machine]. I started taking classes at the college. Pretty soon they cal orange welder that Moody said he used in a class he took at Rich Mountain Vo-Tech in 1981. The Vo-Tech is now UARM. Moody said his students see it daily and love it.

The building UARM uses for the welding classes is divided, part of it being the airport managers area, which is noticeable with a three-quarter scale Sopwith Camel hanging over that portion of the work area. The welders also have two classrooms in the building.

“We got a grant that allowed us to buy this new cutting table. The company has got to come and do their part in setting it up. We’ve done everything we can do. Also, in the grant — tankers call it a ‘goat.’ It’s submerged arc [welding] tractor.” The submerged arc welding (SAW) tractor is a piece of machinery Moody said they’re pretty tickled about.

Ziprecruiter shows jobs working with SAW are being offered $15-$21 per hour while various other sites state the average annual salary is anywhere from $43,000-$73,000.

The SAW is a giant MIG welder using a self-propelled mechanized DC wire feeder. The name is a bit misleading because the device is not for underwater usage.

Moody explained, “You put granulated flux in here and it dumps the flux ahead of the weld. The wire comes down — it’s underneath the flux — and you don’t even see any light from it. That’s why it’s called submerged arc. They use this a lot tanking, shipyards, and stuff like that.” asked if I wanted to start a welding program.

UARM also has a high school class called Career Center for the past six years. Moody currently still has three juniors. They get concurrent credit both in college and high school. Can come out with 28 credit hours of college when they graduate high school. We’ve got six coming from Waldron and seven Mena that are seniors. The younger I get them, the better. They pick it up quicker.

“We started with five booths and five welding machines. Now we’ve got 12.”

One of the machines in the shop is a histori-

Whether it be welding pipes, buildings, machines, or even decorative welding (e.g., scroll work for gates and columns), there are many opportunities for women and men. The craft seems to always have technological advancements… and humans will always be building something.

As women educators impacting education worldwide, Delta Kappa Gamma Alpha Kappa Chapter presented a check for $250 to the Dolly Parton Imagination Library.

DPIL provides a child from birth un- til age 5 with a book each month at no cost to the parent(s) or caregiver(s). The local sponsor of DPIL is Polk County’s Quality of Life.

For more information about DKG, please visit https://www.dkg.org.

Sen. Boozman visits UARM

On Wednesday, Feb. 15, U.S. Sen. John Boozman (R-AR) met with University of Arkansas at Rich Mountain Chancellor Dr. Phillip Wilson and Vice Chancellor of Academic Affairs Dr. Krystal Thrailkill to hear about plans for future growth and development at the school in support of training the next generation of medical professionals.

Boozman is an advocate for increasing and retaining healthcare students and professionals in Arkansas.

Scholarship offered by conservation district

Submitted by Deanna Wright

Could you use some extra money at college next year? Thinking about studying agriculture, environmental science, or conservation? Then listen up!

As part of a statewide education program, Rich Mountain Conservation District is offering a $1000 scholarship for a local high school student and local college student according to James Watkins, chairman of the district. As well as receiving the District Scholarship, the winner will be eligible to compete at both the area and state level.

The Arkansas Association of Conservation Districts awards two scholarships, $1,000 and $500, based on a student’s essay.

The rules are simple, and the con- test is open to all sophomores, juniors, and seniors with a minimum 2.5 grade point average who are Polk County residents and will follow a conservation related course of study. Contest entries must be submitted by March 27, 2023, to: Rich Mountain Conservation District 508 Seventh St. Mena, AR 71953.

High School Counselors, 4-H Leaders, FBLA Sponsors, FFA Sponsors, Scout Leaders, and County Extension Agents have entry forms and rules.

They are also available at Polk County Library and at the Cooperative Extension Service Office. Those interested should call the district office at 479-437-6044.

Ash Wednesday Service with Rev. Scott Stewart at First United Methodist Church, 501 Ninth St., Mena, 5 p.m., Feb. 22. (479) 394-3051.

Trinity Lutheran Church, 1010 Dequeen St. in Mena, begins their Lenten season on Ash Wednesday, Feb. 22 at 6 p.m. with a worship service with the Imposition of Ashes! All are welcome to worship with us and be blessed as we hear, “The Cries of the Passion”! For more information, please call (479) 394-1290.

Narcotics Anonymous meet at 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. on Monday, noon-1 p.m. on Wednesday, 7 p.m. on Thursday, 7 p.m. on Friday, and 6 p.m. on Saturday at the old bus barn at the Crossing Church. For information call Erica at (479) 234-5289 or Candice at (501) 356-8300.

Henry Classic Lever Action .22

Carbine Rifle to be given away Feb. 25 at the Gillham Fire Department at 8 p.m. Tickets are $5 each or five tickets for $20. All proceeds will go to Rebecca (Burris) Alexander to help with funeral and other expenses. Her husband Mikeal Alexander died suddenly Jan. 8. There will be a pulled-pork sandwich dinner by donation from 4-6 p.m. and an auction from 6-8 p.m. Any items can be donated for the auction. Call Judy Oliver at (870) 584-8254 or Maude Burris at (870) 386-2530 for any questions or to buy tickets.

The Polk County Housing Authority has Rental Vouchers available. They are also in need of Applicants and Landlords. Contact them at 509 S. Morrow, Mena, (479) 394-1565 or polkarhousing.com

The Hatfield Branch Library is open every Tuesday and Friday from noon-4 p.m. The library is located at 121 Cemetery Rd. (old Agri building) in Hatfield.

Around Town

GriefShare continues to meet every Thursday from 10 a.m.-noon at First Presbyterian Church Mena for anyone in the community who is grieving the loss of a loved one.

The Polk County Republican Committee will meet Monday, Feb. 27, in the Community Room of the Polk County Library. The meeting will begin at 5:30 p.m. Election of officers is on the agenda and Thomas Burchfield from the State Auditor’s office will be our guest speaker.

The Mena/Polk County Senior Center will have The Gator and Friends band performing in Mena every Thursday, 10:30-11:30 a.m. The Center has an exercise class on Mondays and Thursdays, 9:30-10:30 a.m. Contact Trena Looney with questions, (479) 394-5459.

The Cossatot Senior Center in Wickes has meals and activities for seniors. If you need to make delivery arrangements or changes call (870) 385-2373.

Hatfield First Baptist Church “Shepherd’s Closet” Open Wednesdays, 10 a.m.-Noon. Large selection of good, used clothing & a limited supply of non-perishable food items. Free to anyone in need.

Alcoholics Anonymous meet at The Crossing Church, 3 p.m., Sundays; at 5 p.m., Tuesdays; and at 8 p.m. Saturdays at the old bus barn. For information call (479) 234-8366 or (479) 216-3786.

Happy birthday Wingo Johnson! Help celebrate Feb. 25 from 1-3 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church. Your presence is all the gifts Wingo would love to have. RSVP (918) 775-4929

B.B.B.C. Gardening Tips Ladies Meet- ing. Flowers or vegetables, Saturday, Feb. 25 at 4:30 p.m., Cherry St. and Deridder. Snacks will be served.

The Food Pantry at the Mena Seventh Day Adventist Church is open every first and third Monday of each month, 4-6 p.m., located at Fair Grounds Road. For more information, call (479) 437-4018.

American Legion meets every 2nd Tuesday at the Legion Hall in Acorn. Potluck at 6 p.m., meeting follows.

Come play Bingo, Saturdays and Mondays, starts at 6 p.m., doors open at 4 p.m.

Reynolds Gardner Community Men’s Breakfast every Tuesday, First United Methodist Church, Mena, 8 a.m. (full breakfast for small donation). All men from the community are invited to attend.

Alcoholics Anonymous meet at 7 p.m. Fridays at the First United Methodist Church, 9th & Port Arthur. Discussion/Book Study for information call (479) 243-0297.

Bluegrass Jam Session is open to musicians and fans alike. Bring your instruments for an unplugged session to the Daisy Room (behind Janssen’s Avenue Florist & Gifts) the first and third Thursdays of each month, starting at 6:30 p.m. Free event. Some snacks are provided.

It’s easy to have your event listed in Around Town, which will be read on radio stations KENA and KQOR daily. Simply send your Around Town announcement to news@mypulsenews.com or call (479) 243-9600 and let us know about your event! To have it in the Polk County Pulse newspaper, we need to know by FIVE on FRIDAY. We look forward to continuing to serve the community!

Wendell’s Tree Service - Tree Removal and Trimming. Experienced and fully insured for ALL your tree-trimming needs. Call (479) 394-0227 or (479) 216-4328. T0308

Handyman services - small jobs preferred. Plumbing, electrical, small engine repair. For details, call Bill Duff (479) 216-5204.

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Construction, steel buildings, welding, pads, ponds, and roads. Military discounts. Insured. Give RC Customz a call for free estimates at (479) 216-2976. T0301

Daniel’s carpentry and painting and handyman service. Deck and privacy fences, etc. Call (479) 216-1101 or (479) 216-2299.

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Tree services, forestry mulching, storm cleanup, stump grinding. Signs and light replacement. Give RC Customz a call at (479) 216-2976 for Free estimate. T0301

Mena Shuttle - Ground transportation to AR and TX airports. Doctor and emergency appointments. Also, light deliveries. (870) 490-1191 T0308

- JOBS WANTED-

Full time caregiver available in Mena area. Honest and reliable. 20 years experience. Good references. Call Ann (479) 234-0461 T0222

SKL Custom Sawmilling, on-site in Nunley area. Call for details: Kenneth (479) 2163913 or Leroy (870) 582-5817. T0222

- FOR SALE -

Firewood for sale, oak, green or seasoned. $80 per rick, delivered. Call (479) 234-1528. T0222