Members of L-92 train on the Miller PipeWorx 350 FieldPro. Front row, l. to r., Antonio Cardoso; Michael Ndipagbor; Leausa Finau; Karla Baeza; Oscar Davila, L-92 president and training instructor; Edwin Bogner, Miller Electric; Joe Acorn; and Tyler Rosenbaum.
Local 92 meets increasing demand for qualified craftsmen
LOCAL 92 (LOS ANGELES) is embracing new technology to stay attractive to contractors in a highly competitive market and to meet increased demand for qualified welders in California. For the past two years, L-92 has trained journeymen and qualified fourth-year apprentices in flux-core welding using PipeWorx 350 FieldPro, a regulated metal deposition (RMD™) system, according Oscar Davila, L-92 president and training instructor.
RMD™, a modified short-circuit MIG process, produces high-quality welds on the root pass with a stable arc. It also significantly cuts welding time by eliminating back purge on certain alloys. Davila said training takes about a week, and that the response has been good, because members are excited to learn new technology as it becomes available.
Davila noted the training has put L-92 workers in high demand, because three major contractors are already using FieldPro, and a lot of others are considering it. He said there is a growing demand for qualified welders in California. He attributes the continued increase to a new California state law requiring at least 60 percent of workers in the state’s 19 refineries be graduates of an apprenticeship program certified by the state. He expects L-92 to grow significantly — around double the current 600 members — making training in current and emerging technologies even more vital.
