American Welding Society Calls for Nominations for 6th Annual Image of Welding Awards.

* Award Ceremony to Be Held at Fabtech Int. and AWS Welding Show in Las Vegas, NV

* Deadline for Submissions is June 15, 2008

MIAMI -- The American Welding Society (AWS) and the Welding Equipment Manufacturers Committee (WEMCO), a standing committee at AWS, is seeking nominations for its Sixth Annual Image of Welding Awards. The awards are issued in seven categories and the winners will be announced at the Image of Welding Awards Ceremony to be held during the FABTECH International and AWS Welding Show on October 6-8, 2008 at the Las Vegas Convention Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. The awards recognize individuals and organizations that have shown exemplary dedication to promoting the image of welding in their communities. AWS is the world's largest organization dedicated to advancing the science, technology and application of welding.

"Raising public awareness about welding is vital to establishing a positive image for the industry," said Jim Horvath, chair of the AWS Image of Welding Subcommittee. "Every year, welding professionals triumph in inspiring young adults to join the field. Their passion helps to reverse negative and untrue industry stereotypes, such as unclean working environments and low salaries, which contribute to poor recruitment and the growing shortage of welders."

AWS estimates a shortage of about 200,000 welders by 2010. The image of welding contest is part of a wider AWS campaign to draw positive attention to the welding industry. One such component of the campaign is a new AWS welding career guide that is targeted at students, parents, teachers and guidance counselors and includes success stories, AWS scholarships and student chapters, as well as other comprehensive information about a range of welding careers and entryways into the industry.

"With a wider focus on quality control and production efficiency, many welding and fabrication facilities have intensified their recruiting techniques and further enhanced workspaces," said Jeff Weber, AWS associate executive director. "While this helps, welding still suffers from a bad image and the variety of excellent welding career opportunities go unrecognized. Honoring those who are driving real improvements for this industry encourages others to take similar actions and become more involved."

Image of Welding Awards categories are as follows: Individual; Section (AWS local chapter); Large Business (200 or more employees); Small Business (less than 200 employees); Distributor (welding products); Educator; and Educational Facility. All individuals, organizations and groups may be nominated for multiple categories.

Nominations will be judged by WEMCO, which is composed of executives of welding industry suppliers to promote the welding equipment market. Enhancing the image of welding as a critical industry is among their priority programs.

Deadline for submissions is June 15, 2008. To nominate an individual, group or organization for an award, please send a written explanation of the nominee's qualifications and contact information, along with your name, phone number, email and mailing address, to Adrienne Zalkind at [e-mail] or by postal mail to AWS Image of Welding Awards, 550 NW LeJeune Road, Miami, Florida, 33126. For questions and other requests, please call AWS toll-free at 800-443-9353.

Note: To view photo and caption, please visit the press photo gallery in AWS' press room: http://www.aws.org/pr/photos.html.

About AWS

The American Welding Society (AWS) was founded in 1919 as a multifaceted, nonprofit organization with a mission to advance the science, technology and application of welding and allied joining and cutting processes, including brazing, soldering, and thermal spraying. Headquartered in Miami, Florida, and led by a volunteer organization of officers and directors, AWS serves more than 50,000 members worldwide and is composed of 22 districts with 250 sections and student chapters. For more information, visit the Society's website at http://www.aws.org and click on "pressroom."