Welding a Future

M. Davis & Sons’ in-house solution to the skills gap

BY REGINA DONATO

AT A TIME when skilled trades are in high demand, one local company is taking workforce development into its own hands—quite literally.

M. Davis & Sons, a fifth-generation industrial construction company, has received the inaugural Superstars in Education & Training Award in the Corporate Training Provider category. This new category recognizes businesses that invest in developing their workforce by providing training and upskilling opportunities to their employees.

The company’s Welding Training Program is a key part of its workforce development efforts, offering hands-on instruction and certification opportunities for their employees. The program is held at dedicated training spaces at their Kennett Square, Pa., and Havre De Grace, Md., fabrication shops, where participants gain real-world experience under the supervision of experienced welders.

“For nearly 26 years, we have been at the forefront of providing a unique opportunity for our employees to elevate their expertise and advance their careers,” said Heath Kroll, M. Davis & Son’s ASME Code Shop manager, who is the main point of contact for the Welding Training Program.

M. Davis & Sons developed its welding program in response to the growing shortage of skilled tradespeople, both internally and within the industry as a whole. “The decision to establish our own welding training classes just made sense,” says Kroll. “We had the welders already working here, and we have a funnel of vocational and technical high school students working as co-ops and staying on full time. Enhancing their skills through the in-house training aligned with our need to recruit and retain welding talent.”

Providing a structured pathway for employees looking to build a career in welding, program participants receive hands-on training in a controlled environment, ensuring they develop the technical skills necessary to meet industry standards. The higher the skill level that is passed with a certified weld coupon, the higher the wage that the employee can gain.

Our welding training program not only creates high-quality tradespeople but more importantly, it transforms people’s lives with an entry into a career that will carry you through a lifetime.

- ASME Code Shop Manager Heath Kroll

One of the defining aspects of the program is its emphasis on real-world applications. M. Davis & Sons has built a curriculum that prioritizes practical skill development, safety protocols, and adherence to industry regulations. “Our welding training program is structured to allow employees to gain the skills they need in a controlled setting before transitioning to job sites,” explains Kroll. The program ensures their welders meet ASME, AWS and API standards, which are critical for safety and quality in industrial construction.

M. Davis & Sons is also mindful of their employees’ busy lifestyles, so the program is held on a part-time flexible schedule. “Education is not confined to rigid schedules,” says Kroll. “Holding classes two nights a week accommodates the varied work commitments of our employees, ensuring that education is seamlessly integrated into their professional lives.”

Over the last year alone, the program has seen impressive participation, with 85 employees attending welding classes. While some participants attended only one class per week, most engaged participants completed the curriculum. The program’s success is evident in the results: 50 welders earned a total of 108 welding certifications.

Over the last year alone, the program has seen impressive participation, with 85 employees attending welding classes. While some participants attended only one class per week, most engaged participants completed the curriculum. The program’s success is evident in the results: 50 welders earned a total of 108 welding certifications.

Two recent success stories also highlight the program’s impact. Evan Campbell joined M. Davis & Sons in 2023 without any welding certifications and was initially hired as a helper in the fabrication shop. Through a year and a half of commitment to the in-house weld training, Evan achieved multiple certifications and is now capable of welding any process, whether in the field or in the shop.

Similarly, Jacob Gold was hired in 2023 and has demonstrated remarkable progress and dedication. His expertise now extends to welding on API storage tanks and ASME vessels, and he has even contributed to developing and testing welding procedures.

As a family-owned company with more than 150 years in business, M. Davis & Sons continues to prioritize workforce development and sees it as a critical part of its mission. The Welding Training Program is just one example of how the company invests in its employees and prepares them for long-term careers in the skilled trades. And it is this investment that has deservedly earned M. Davis & Sons the title of a Superstar in Education and Training.

“We are all honored to be receiving this recognition,” Kroll finishes. “Our welding training program not only creates high-quality tradespeople but more importantly, it transforms people’s lives with an entry into a career that will carry you through a lifetime.”