All of us must send this message to the outside world: "The welding and joining industry is vital to each of us, but it is rapidly approaching a critical stage in its ability to supply the qualified welders needed for manufacturers to produce the products necessary for American growth."

The AWS Foundation exists to help and serve America's industry. Not one manufacturer or product-producing corporation can operate without some aspect of welding. Whether for the product they produce, the building they operate from or the transportation used to distribute their product, welding plays a part.

So how does the Foundation help? Through ten National Scholarships, recipients attending a four-year college or university are granted $2500­$3000 each - with the opportunity to reapply each year - in their pursuit of a welding-related degree. Our District Scholarship program helps dozens of students annually who are attending technical and trade schools, colleges or universities to learn about welding.

In the area of graduate research, six fellowships of $25,000 are offered annually to graduate welding engineering students to advance our industry.

The AWS Foundation helps nearly 200 students enter the industry each year. In addition, the Foundation provides low-rate-interest loans to students who do not receive scholarships (because there just isn't enough money available to help them all). Each year, we must turn down hundreds of applicants due to the lack of funds.

How can you help? With your support of the Foundation, we can increase the number of trained personnel in our field. This helps you, the industry and the student. It's a win-win program. I ask our corporate leaders, "Doesn't it make sense for you and/or your company to help a student? After all, he or she just might end up working for you." Plus, those who step up to help get an extra benefit from the corporate and name recognition attached to our scholarship programs.