12-04-2025
Anniston High School selected for national welding initiative
ANNISTON — Anniston High School has been named one of 72 schools across the nation selected to participate in Airgas' 2025 High School Welding Education Initiative, a program aimed at addressing the growing skills gap in the welding and skilled trades industries.
Airgas, an Air Liquide company, announced that schools from 33 states and 16 company regions will be part of the initiative, which supports underserved high school welding programs with professional development, equipment, and resources. Since its launch in 2018, the initiative has reached 162 schools and impacted more than 12,000 students and nearly 700 instructors nationwide.
'We are thrilled to expand the Airgas High School Welding Education Initiative and further our commitment to supporting welding education,' said Jay Worley, Airgas Chief Operating Officer. 'By investing in these 72 programs, we are not only addressing a critical skills gap but also empowering students to pursue rewarding careers in welding, engineering, and technical fields.'
Anniston High's selection was based on several key criteria, including the school's unmet needs, the strength and potential of its welding program and the passion of its instructors. The program provides welding instructors with hands-on training, along with welding consumables, personal protective equipment and other essential materials.
With the American Welding Society projecting a need for 320,500 new welding professionals by 2029, programs like Airgas' are seen as vital to ensuring a strong pipeline of skilled workers.
Since 2021, nearly 1,900 students from participating schools have secured jobs post-graduation. Airgas' continued investment in high school welding education is designed to help communities like Anniston build a strong foundation for future workforce development.
For more information about the Airgas High School Welding Education Initiative, visit
