How Adam Thompson of Epic Piping Discovered the Benefits of Welding
"I can tell you, in the last seven years there’s never been a time where we have turned away a qualified welder."
Ever wonder if there’s more to life than the typical 9 to 5? Meet Adam Thompson, the president of Texas Fabrication at Epic Piping, who’s here to share his insights on why welding training might be for you.
Welding: A Diverse Industry
First off, what does the welding industry include? It’s not just about joining metal pieces together. It’s about building the backbone of our infrastructure. From skyscrapers to pipelines, welders make it all happen.
Adam Thompson started his journey with a spark in his eye and a welding torch in his hand. Fast forward to today, and he’s the president of Texas Fabrication at Epic Piping.
Training programs like UTI’s Welding Technology are essential for learning the basics. They provide the skills and knowledge needed to succeed in this booming industry.1 Adam couldn’t agree more:
“Having schools like UTI is a huge benefit to us. There are not the amount of people in the trades as there once were,” he explains. ”It’s a great resource to work with.”
A Day in the Life of a Welder
What can you expect as a welder? There’s a variety of roles for the trained technician to explore. For Adam’s company, the role includes a lot of fabrication.
“My role here is president of Texas fabrication. We supply pipe fabrication for oil and gas companies in the Southwest, and really all across America,” he explains. “Our basic role is to take as much of the work out of the field and into the shop for the fabrication process.”
One of the great things about welding is the constant learning. Whether you’re just starting out or a trained welder with experience looking to grow, there’s always something new you can refresh up on or learn. Advancement as welders gain experience and skills in Adam’s company looks something like this:77
“A lot of our welders or pipefitters come in and once they’ve experienced that, they branch out into our quality role or they branch out in supervision, being a foreman or quality control as inspectors,” he shares.
In Adam’s words, welding is a career path that offers both in-demand opportunities and personal satisfaction. You’re not just creating metal structures. You’re a part of something vital.
“In my opinion, someone should consider a path of welding, especially for those that aren’t interested in the 9 to 5,” he advises.
Ready to Start Your Training?
“I can tell you, in the last seven years, there’s never been a time when we have turned away a qualified welder,” he emphasizes
Whether you’re looking for a fresh start or a new challenge, welding training could be the right fit for you. To learn more about it, head to our Programs page.