AirGas presents much needed supplies to New London Welding Program

Aug. 31, 2023 2:26 pm

Monday, Aug. 28, Jared Flynn, Sales Representative from Fairfield, AirGas Store presented The New London High School Welding Program with much needed consumables and equipment.

The Regional Manager has planned to attend but was called away at the last minutes Airgas, an Air Liquide Company, selected New London High School to receive these supplies as part of the Airgas High School Welding Education Initiative.

The Airgas Initiative provides material donations and educational support to schools such as NLHS. These efforts to support underserved high school welding programs across the nation.

Matthew May, New London’s Industrial Technology Teacher, students from the Welding and Building Trades classes, and Scott Kracht, Principal were on hand to welcome Mr.an Flynn.

Mr. May noted that there are many grant opportunities for the welding stations and large equipment, but the AirGas donation is extremely important.

Their $3000 donation of items needed to run a shop such as welding gases. rods and many smaller items are critical. Students must have these items to learn and practice the workday skills needed to become a professional welder.

The term “consumable” seems innocuous, but a high school program’s budget can be stretched thin by these daily costs. AirGas plays a vital role by providing these items.

Keeping up with job opportunities for young people is an important part of Mr. May’s work.

He noted that thousands of welding positions (315,250 to be exact) are expected to open in the next few years.

Since 2018, Airgas has assisted 72 schools, 4,200 welding students and nearly 450 instructors across the country.

In the past two years combined, more than 250 students obtained welding jobs directly after graduating from a school program supported by Airgas donations.

New London is planning to create an interest in welding careers among its students and to prepare them for entrance into a much-needed profession.

Airgas is a leading U.S. supplier of industrial, medical and specialty gases, as well as hardgoods and related products. AirGas has two distributors in Southeast Iowa, Fairfield (industrial) and West Burlington (medical).

Mr. May has worked with the Fairfield office and Mr. Flynn for a number of years.

Although Mr. May has lived in New London since 2016, he joined NLHS in 2022 as an instructor.

He taught at Keokuk HS. A grant he wrote while at Keokuk was awarded equipment and consumables in 2022.

Upon arriving in New London, Mr. May, with the encouragement of Mr. Flynn, wrote another AirGas request for help.

Now in the academic year 2023 he will experience firsthand the benefits of this outstanding national program.

In 2023 AirGas High School Welding Education Initiative awarded 55 schools to be part of the program.

Fourteen returning schools and 41 new schools from 22 states are participating. New London is the only Iowa school to be selected for the AirGas Program in 2023.

There are four key factors guiding the selection of welding programs: high unmet need at the school, a productive welding program with the potential to graduate job-ready welders; passionate teachers; and enthusiastic local Airgas champions.

Once selected, underserved high school technology programs are supported by Airgas welding and safety specialists and associates who volunteer their time and expertise.

It is exciting to see emphasis placed on the trades.

Mr. May is also a carpenter and adds his proficiency by introducing students to this trade as well as welding.

Many small communities are noticing how difficult it is to find help with their homes and businesses. There is a shortage in all the trades as the Baby Boomers retire.

The New London district is looking forward to helping its students find success in entering the workforce in their chosen occupation.