Soft Skills Aren’t So Soft in The Skilled Trades

In welding, the bead gets all the attention. The visually appealing "stack of dimes," a clean toe line, and the satisfying sizzle of a proper weld. The failures that cost the most time, though, tend to happen before the arc ever starts. A drawing can be misread, or a measurement can be assumed without confirmation. Meanwhile, someone in the process notices something is off but hesitates to speak up, creating a situation that could lead to all sorts of problems.

That’s why soft skills like communication and numeracy are foundational to welding and the skilled trades, and not just everyday life. 

Author: Matthew Le Blanc, Communications Officer, CWB Foundation