300,000 Welders Short And It's Getting Worse

If you think welding is just sparks and metal… you’re missing the bigger picture. In this episode, I sit down with a global leader from ESAB to break down what’s really happening inside the welding industry — from massive infrastructure projects to a talent shortage that’s only getting worse. If you can weld… you’re basically operating at a different level. What we cover: Why welding touches EVERYTHING in your daily life The truth behind the 300,000+ welder shortage Why AI won’t replace the trades (and what it actually does) How top performers think differently in the trades The massive gap companies are ignoring How the Blue Collar Tour is changing the game Timestamps: 00:00 – Why welding makes you “unstoppable” 01:00 – Career path into welding (and early doubts) 03:00 – What actually makes welding addictive 05:00 – Seeing welds everywhere (once you understand it) 06:00 – Inside major projects: bridges, factories, shipbuilding 08:30 – The aging workforce problem 09:30 – The 300,000+ welder shortage explained 10:30 – Why AI won’t replace skilled trades 13:30 – The Blue Collar Tour + reaching Gen Z 15:30 – Why exposure matters more than awareness 17:30 – Why most people never see this side of trades 19:00 – Mentorship and learning in the trades 21:00 – Why asking questions changes everything 24:30 – The wildest real-world problem-solving story 27:00 – How small process changes drive massive results 29:00 – Why tradespeople are elite problem solvers 30:00 – Careers in welding beyond “hands-on work” 31:00 – How to choose the right industry (not just a job) 33:00 – Final advice + getting into welding The reality: There are over 300,000+ welding jobs unfilled in the U.S. alone — and millions globally. That’s not a skills problem. That’s a perception problem. If you're a student, parent, or someone stuck in a career that doesn’t excite you… this is a conversation you need to hear. About Kris Scherm: Kris Scherm is the Global Product & Business Director for Light Industrial Plasma and Engine Driven Welders at ESAB. With 30 years in the welding industry, he's worked at some of the world's most impressive manufacturing facilities — from the Bay Bridge and SpaceX to Newport News Shipbuilding — and is a passionate advocate for bringing the next generation into the trades. Resources: • LinkedIn:   / krisscherm   • ESAB: https://www.esab.com • American Welding Society Workforce Data: https://www.weldingworkforcedata.com • Western Welding Academy: https://westernweldingacademy.com FOLLOW ANDREW BROWN TikTok →   / andrewbrowntrades   Instagram →   / andrewbrowntrades   LinkedIn →   / andrew-brown-b1736a5   Website → https://www.tradesmedia.net WORK WITH ANDREW Keynotes • Live Event Podcasting • Gen Z Recruitment Campaigns → https://www.tradesmedia.net SUPPORT THE SHOW If you’re getting value from these conversations and want to help keep the mics on, consider supporting the show here → Every contribution helps us continue bringing experience-backed insights from the trades — focused on standards, discipline, and real-world performance.