In the first Weld Wednesdays with AWS episode of 2026, I'm sitting down with Dr. Josh Burgess, current President of the American Welding Society and Senior Program Manager for Metallurgical and Welding Engineering at the Tennessee Valley Authority.

Dr. Burgess shares his path from welding in high school and competing at the national level to earning his bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees in materials science and engineering. Along the way, AWS played a pivotal role—providing scholarships, networking opportunities, mentorship, and leadership development that shaped his career.

This conversation covers:

• How AWS membership opens doors at every career stage

• The value of section involvement and industry networking

• Leadership development through volunteering

• Welding metallurgy, inspection, and failure analysis

• Workforce development and future career paths in welding

• Emerging technology like additive manufacturing and automation

Whether you're a student, working welder, inspector, educator, or industry leader, this episode highlights why welding remains one of the most versatile and opportunity-rich trades available today.

For more on how you can get involved with the AWS Click Here

In this episode of the Arc Junkies Podcast, Jason Becker sits down with Josh O'Neal for a wide-ranging conversation on education, certification, and career development in the welding industry.

Josh shares his journey through welding, inspection, and education, including his experiences pursuing credentials like CWI and CWE, navigating student loans and scholarships, and building quality systems that support AWS Accredited Testing Facilities. The discussion also dives into workforce development, credit-for-experience programs, and how industry certifications can translate into academic credit.

Key topics include:

• Welding education pathways and career mobility

• AWS certifications, scholarships, and member involvement

• Quality Assurance Manuals and ATF setup

• Credit-by-exam and equivalency programs in education

• Balancing work, family, and professional growth

• Why education is something no one can take away from you

This episode is a realistic look at the trade-offs, sacrifices, and long-term rewards of investing in your education and your career in welding.

Arc Junkies Podcast:

Instagram: @Arcjunkiespodcast

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@arcjunkiespodcast9253

Email: Show@arcjunkies.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jason-becker-45407b72?lipi=urn%3Ali%3Apage%3Ad_flagship3_profile_view_base_contact_details%3BKipEwR3uQXCmCjaEfNzo6w%3D%3D

Arc Junkies Website: https://arcjunkies.com

Arc junkies Merch: https://shop.threadmob.com/arcjunkie/shop/home

Underground Metal Works: https://www.underground-metalworks.com/

Friends of the Show:

American Welding Society Conferences

Inspection Expo and Conference

https://www.aws.org/community-and-events/conferences-and-events/inspection-expo-and-conference/

Use ARCJUNKIES at Checkout and get a free gift at the event.

Outlaw Leather LLC

Outlawleather.com

Instagram: @outlawleatherusa

Use ARCJUNKIES for 15% off all in-stock leather goods

Everlast Welders

Instagram: @everlastwelders

YouTube: Everlast Welders

Online: https://bit.ly/37xJstI

Use Codeword ARCJUNKIES at checkout to get upgraded to a free Nova Foot Pedal and TIG Torch with the purchase of any machine that comes with a stock foot pedal and TIG Torch.

ISOTUNES:

Instagram: @isotunesaudio

Online: https://shop.isotunes.com/arcjunkies10.

Use ARCJUNKIES10 at checkout and save $10 on your purchase

As we wrap up the year, I'm joined by Kevin Johnson, Max Ceron, and Frankie Vargas for our annual end-of-year cross-pod roundtable. We talk candidly about FabTech, the real ROI of in-person podcasting, and why live shows don't always move the needle the way people expect.

Kevin breaks down what went into this year's Fabricator Olympics, what he learned running a large-scale event, and why organization and efficiency matter just as much in events as they do in fabrication shops. We also dig into arc-on time, shop inefficiencies, and why welding is often only a small percentage of what a welder actually does day to day.

The conversation shifts into the welding labor shortage and skills gap—where those numbers come from, whether they're accurate, and why retention, culture, apprenticeships, and shop conditions matter just as much as recruiting new welders. We also cover why so many welders leave the hood for other roles, how benefits factor into pay decisions, and what schools and employers need to change if they want people to stay in the trade.

This is an honest, unscripted conversation about where the industry really is—and where it needs to go next.

Arc Junkies Podcast:

Instagram: @Arcjunkiespodcast

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@arcjunkiespodcast9253

Email: Show@arcjunkies.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jason-becker-45407b72?lipi=urn%3Ali%3Apage%3Ad_flagship3_profile_view_base_contact_details%3BKipEwR3uQXCmCjaEfNzo6w%3D%3D

Arc Junkies Website: https://arcjunkies.com

Arc junkies Merch: https://shop.threadmob.com/arcjunkie/shop/home

Underground Metal Works: https://www.underground-metalworks.com/

Friends of the Show:

American Welding Society Conferences

Inspection Expo and Conference

https://www.aws.org/community-and-events/conferences-and-events/inspection-expo-and-conference/

Use ARCJUNKIES at Checkout and get a free gift at the event.

Outlaw Leather LLC

Outlawleather.com

Instagram: @outlawleatherusa

Use ARCJUNKIES for 15% off all in-stock leather goods

Everlast Welders

Instagram: @everlastwelders

YouTube: Everlast Welders

Online: https://bit.ly/37xJstI

Use Codeword ARCJUNKIES at checkout to get upgraded to a free Nova Foot Pedal and TIG Torch with the purchase of any machine that comes with a stock foot pedal and TIG Torch.

Fronius:

Instagram: @FroniusUSA

Website: https://bakersgas.com/collections/fronius-accupocket

ISOTUNES:

Instagram: @isotunesaudio

Online: https://shop.isotunes.com/arcjunkies10.

Use ARCJUNKIES10 at checkout and save $10 on your purchase