A Family-Owned Enterprise Preparing the Next Generation of Industry Leaders
The nation’s aging infrastructure requires the expertise of welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers to help rebuild bridges, highways, and structures. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers is projected to grow 3% from 2019 to 2029, about as fast as the average for all occupations. Recent statistics from Data USA show the number of people employed as welding, soldering, and brazing workers has been growing at a rate of 4.98%, from 580,520 people in 2018 to 609,457 people in 2019. Zippia’s current findings in regards to the welding profession found that the most popular places for welders are in Texas (Houston areas) and Oklahoma (Tulsa areas).
Continuing to meet the industry’s demand for welders, providing higher education in welding is the Industrial Welding Academy (IWA). Since 2007, Andre Horn, founder and CEO and Miranda Horn, vice president, have been dedicated to teaching students the in-demand trade of welding built on their motto of “Integrity With Attitude.” Before founding IWA, Andre worked for several major industrial companies, and as a Certified Welding Educator (CWE), he has more than 20 years of training experience in the welding industry. Miranda possesses more than a decade of workforce development and management experience, being a valuable element to IWA’s foundation.
IWA, for more than a decade with an acclaimed certification program, has proven itself as more than just a welding school, but a proven place for young men and women to get a second chance, being successful in their personal and professional development. Under the direction of the Horns, the curriculum, staff, and instructors are strategic, so the student body feels more like part of a family, beyond the traditional teacher-student setting. This learning environment is distinct and effectual, perpetually producing graduates who are the future generation of leaders in the welding profession and in their communities. “IWA changes the lives of our students by teaching them the valuable skill of welding. And we don’t take it for granted that we are in a city with one of the highest levels of employment in the welding field in the country. Yes, our students have the advantage in that instance, but we understand that the highest level of training needs to be available in order for them to secure gainful employment. IWA is about opening doors for young welders to be the best through our quality welding training environment. When our students gain the confidence career-wise, that also extends into their personal life, building self-esteem. And that is one of the best things to witness.” Andre said.
The Horns leading this family-owned enterprise prepares not only students, but also the next generation of IWA leadership with their children, Desiree and Dalton Horn showing passion and gaining first-hand experience to be successful in continuing the IWA legacy. “I am more than honored to continue the legacy my parents have created from the ground up. For them to even consider passing the torch to me really means a lot. I get the privilege to keep this legacy alive and impact the community the same way my parents did,” said Desiree. “IWA is the perfect place to come for those needing a second chance. Regardless of your background, welder qualifications are based on hands-on training and work ethic. Here at IWA, we focus on that and also give you the book knowledge that you will need in the field,” expressed Dalton.
IWA can boast a job placement rate of over 90%. But the academy’s achievements would not be possible without the IWA educators and support staff. “You can give students requirements, but do they have the tools to meet those demands? I am thankful that IWA’s instructors are providing those necessary tools for our students to succeed in their education and in the real world after they graduate from IWA,” Miranda said. IWA CWEs are credentialed by the American Welding Society (AWS), the multifaceted nonprofit organization advancing the science, technology, and application of welding and related disciplines all across the country. Working with welders of all levels and companies of all sizes, IWA’s certified welding instructors have more than 20 years of experience in the welding industry. Miranda added, “Our students heavily rely on IWA to prepare for and excel on AWS exams. And our expertise and instruction also helps students elevate their skills while working on-the-job so they are able to remain competitive and advance in their craft.”
Ever growing, with a location in Houston and expanding in 2019, with a school now in Beaumont, both state-of-the-art welding schools accommodate an industry-leading student-teacher ratio of 15:01. Training spaces are designed to resemble the job settings in realistic welding conditions and environments. Students are each assigned a welding machine and welding booth during the course. IWA providing individual booths for students allows them to strengthen their skills received individually as well as collectively. IWA remains committed to providing the superior training and education that is in line with current welding industry needs.
Like many, IWA has had to pivot and adapt amid the pandemic, but the academy shows no signs of yielding, continuing to produce confident and competent welding professionals. “The government required closures during the pandemic did force us to close our doors temporarily for a couple of months, but we took that time to put new procedures into place when able to reopen for our students. We were able to adapt with CDC and state regulations in place for the health and safety of our staff and students to remain productive in IWA’s learning environment,” said Andre. He added, “And with us being in the hub of the oil and gas and petrochemical core, there remains continuous career opportunities for our students after they graduate. We had no choice but to adapt to the current times. If you don’t adapt, you get left behind, and there was no choice but for us to reopen and push through. We owed that to the students, staff, and to the community.”
IWA proves to be a worthy driving force in educating our next generation of welders, recently holding their Annual Student Welder Certification Day, hosting aspiring welders from Houston and the surrounding areas to test for certifications at their Houston location. “This annual event was especially important, being that we all have had to overcome challenges brought about by COVID-19. Our students, instructors, and staff had to adapt as well, and we understand that. But we are still here and applaud everyone for pushing through to not only continue to keep IWA a success, but to shine the light on our students who worked so hard and deserved this day. This annual day would not have been possible without AWS, our sponsors, proctors, community partners, instructors, staff, and the high school instructors who brought their students to participate,” expressed Miranda.
Though you may not realize it, welding shapes our communities and everyday lives. And IWA is proud to be instrumental in shaping the lives of the next generation working in this career. From construction to manufacturing, the demand for welders remains strong. Salaries are also good, given that many jobs in this arena don’t require an extensive education, with some making a six-figure income. IWA is not just about preparing students for a job, but a career and fulfilling life, conveying the great value of integrity and discipline upon its students.
Because many of the IWA students come from at-risk areas, IWA gives them a deserving second chance to change their lives. “IWA is providing our young people an invaluable opportunity to gain higher education in the welding industry. Miranda and I, with our children, dedicated instructors, and staff are equipping students to perform their best, because they have the credentials, discipline, experience, welding training, and confidence to excel and exceed expectations as welders,” Andre said.
Andre and Miranda have made IWA more than an academy, but a family-run operation preparing students to be productive assets in the industry and in their communities. It’s a great legacy that will remain standing for years to come, one day being run by their children, Desiree and Dalton, remaining the bridge connecting those needing a second chance to a successful career in this industry.
Desiring to meet the steady demand for welders, IWA has future plans to open additional facilities throughout the city and state. For more information about IWA, please visit www.iwatraining.com or email mybestwelding@iwatraining.com.
Sources:
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Data USA
Zippia
