La. Admin. Code tit. 28 § XCIX-5701

Current through Register Vol. 50, No. 12, December 20, 2024

Section XCIX-5701 - Rationale

A. The American Welding Society recognized the need for entry-level welders, and through a grant by the U.S. Department of Education, formed the Education Grant Committee, and assigned it the task of preparing a standards guide.

B. Welding has become a very sophisticated and technical science, requiring not only mental application but also hands-on abilities. The future need for competent welders should prompt the establishment of a greater number of educational programs. Thus, it becomes imperative that the training given be of sufficient quality and quantity to prepare trainees for industrial assignments at various levels of skill development well into the next century. To this end, entry-level workers come to the workforce as prospective first-time practitioners of the craft.

C. Work Environment. Entry level welders are employed in a wide range of industries that use welding and welding-related tasks during the course of daily operations. This range of industries includes small, medium, and large union or nonunion facilities.

D. Occupational Hazards. As is the case in most metalworking industries, the potential for bodily harm and hazardous situations exists. High electrical currents and voltages are used to operate machinery and welding equipment. Machinery for shearing, forming, and punching various thicknesses of materials is used. Flammable and other compressed gases are used during flame cutting and welding operations. Welders may work in enclosed, restricted spaces, and at times at high elevations and in awkward positions. A hazardous noise level is sometimes generated during the production process. The welder must take safety precautions, and be safety conscious at all times.

E. Worker Profile. This position involves concentration, decision making, and physical tasks.

F. Physical Requirements. Entry-level welders must meet the physical requirements established by the employer.

G. Employability. Entry-level welders should exhibit good written, oral, and listening skills and be good at problem solving and decision making. These individuals should demonstrate good judgment, be dependable and interact well with people.

H. Education. Entry-level welders training is accomplished through secondary, postsecondary, vocational-technical schools, junior colleges, universities, apprenticeship, or employer-based welder training programs. Sufficient workplace skills (i.e., foundation skills such as reading, writing, math, science, communication skills, and adaptability skills) are required to complete requisite welding-related knowledge and skills training.

I. Curriculum Guidelines. It is the sole intent of these guidelines to define a competency-based welding curriculum. Therefore, it is the responsibility of the secondary, postsecondary, or employer-based training program to establish any guidelines for the duration of training and prerequisites related to basic skills (i.e., reading, writing, mathematics, and listening/oral communications). Training activities should consistently reinforce the use of basic skills.

La. Admin. Code tit. 28, § XCIX-5701

Promulgated by the Department of Education, Board of Elementary and Secondary Education, Trade and Industrial Education, LR 30:2771 (December 2004).

AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 17:6(A)(10) and R.S. 17:10.