by Angela Askey, Executive Director Public Relations and Marketing
Central Arizona College welding professors Jordan Porterfield and Ken Smith were awarded the American Welding Society (AWS) Arizona Section Educator Award for 2023.The award is dedicated to members within District 21, Section 55 and recognizes their quality instructional performance in helping students expand their welding skills and knowledge.
Porterfield and Smith were nominated by other AWS members based on their contributions to the welding industry.
“This is very exciting news and shows the dedication and commitment they bring to our welding program,” says Andrew Clegg, CAC Executive Director of Career and Workforce Training.
Porterfield and Smith both strive to propel CAC to become the No. 1 community college welding program in the United States. Students gain experience and exposure to an industry that has one of the highest demands and use the newest equipment and latest technology.
As professors it is their goal to train the next generation to help fill a growing industry need.
Porterfield describes the growing need: “We can place our students 100% of the time with a job if they want one and are motivated in the industry.” He adds, “As an industry, we are short 90,000 new welders every year leading to over 360,000 new welding professionals needed by 2027 (weldingworkforcedata.com).”
