Resources, Projects, and Reports
American Welding Society
The American Welding Society is the go-to source for professional welding certifications, industry standards, and educational resources, serving welding professionals at every career stage. AWS has developed more than 350 industry standards and leads the way in supporting welding education and technology development. Membership provides access to training programs, scholarships, job boards, and a global network of more than 70,000 welding professionals.
Lincoln Electric Welding Education Resource Center
Lincoln Electric's Welding Education Resource Center offers a wealth of information including welding guides, videos, and articles for both beginners and experienced welders looking to improve their skills and knowledge. Instructors and trainers can access the U/LINC® platform, a comprehensive blended learning system with more than 1,500 curriculum resources and support materials spanning virtual, robotic, and traditional welding training systems. The site is especially valuable for schools and workforce training programs seeking ready-made, industry-aligned curriculum.
https://www.lincolnelectric.com/en/Education/Resources
Miller Welding Projects
Miller's Welding Project Gallery is a community-driven collection of DIY welding projects and project plans, offering inspiration for hobbyists and professional welders alike. Projects range from beginner-friendly builds to more complex fabrication challenges, with downloadable plans available for many featured builds. It's a practical resource for instructors looking for class project ideas or for students wanting real-world practice applications.
https://www.millerwelds.com/resources/welding-project-gallery#plans
Shipbuilders Council of America (SCA)
The Shipbuilders Council of America (SCA) is the national trade association for the U.S. shipyard industry, representing more than 140 companies that build, repair, maintain, modernize, and supply the nation's shipyards. SCA's mission is to serve as the definitive advocate for the shipyard industry in Washington, D.C., keeping members informed on legislative, regulatory, and policy matters that affect the shipbuilding and repair sector. The site includes industry news, policy positions, workforce data, and resources relevant to anyone working in or entering maritime trades.
https://shipbuildersusa.org/
The Association for Materials Protection and Performance (AMPP)
AMPP was formed by a merger between NACE International and SSPC: The Society for Protective Coatings, bringing together the world's leading corrosion prevention and protective coatings organizations with more than 40,000 members in 130 countries. The AMPP content hub publishes standards, technical papers, industry reports, journal and magazine articles, webcasts, podcasts, white papers, and videos on a regular basis. This is a key resource for welders and fabricators working in industries where corrosion control and protective coatings are critical—including shipbuilding, pipelines, and infrastructure.
Washington Association of Building Officials (WABO) Welder Certification Program
The WABO Welder Certification Program was developed to provide a uniform method of determining qualifications and testing procedures for structural welders and welding operators in Washington State. WABO certifications are required for company welders working on structural steel in Washington State, making this a critical credential for anyone pursuing structural welding work in the region. The site outlines certification types, how to find approved testing agencies, and how to renew an existing certification.
https://www.wabo.org/weld-program
Weld-Ed National Center for Welding Education and Training
Weld-Ed is a national partnership of colleges, universities, professional societies, government agencies, and private industry committed to increasing the number and quality of welding and materials joining technicians to meet industry demand. The educator resources page includes curriculum guidelines, links to AWS teaching materials, and access to regional welding occupation demand reports that help institutions determine the programmatic needs of the communities they serve. This is a particularly strong resource for welding instructors at the secondary and post-secondary level who want to strengthen or build out their programs.
https://www.weld-ed.org/educator-resources/
Weld Guru – 20 High School Welding Project Ideas
Weld Guru's high school welding project roundup offers a range of project ideas spanning beginner to intermediate skill levels, from basic TIG tack welds to group fabrication projects like welding tables. Each project includes context on the skills it builds, the processes involved, and links to plans or additional resources. It's a quick-reference guide for instructors seeking fresh, practical projects that keep students engaged and developing real-world technique.
https://weldguru.com/high-school-welding-projects/
Industry Reports
Department of Homeland Security
Developed by DHS in coordination with the Departments of Transportation and Labor, this plan addresses challenges in building icebreakers domestically and identifies opportunities to enhance the skills of American workers through four strategic focus areas with actionable recommendations. The plan draws on collaboration with ICE Pact partners Finland and Canada, incorporating best practices from their workforce development programs, and aligns with broader national initiatives including Registered Apprenticeships and Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act programs. A valuable reference for anyone tracking federal investment in shipbuilding workforce development and the growing demand for skilled maritime trades workers.
ICE Pact Workforce Development Plan
Department of the Navy
Released in May 2026, this plan outlines the Navy's roadmap for building the "Golden Fleet"—a larger, more capable fleet of advanced combatants, cost-effective frigates, and unmanned systems—while also addressing structural challenges that have stalled fleet growth despite a doubling of the shipbuilding budget over two decades. Workforce development is identified as a critical priority throughout the plan, with targeted investments in the submarine and surface ship industrial bases directed specifically toward worker recruitment, training, and retention. This document provides essential context for the scale of federal shipbuilding investment and the resulting demand for skilled welders and maritime trades workers in the years ahead.