April is National Welding Month, a time to recognize the importance of welding and the skilled professionals who power the industry. At Maysteel, welding is a crucial part of our fabrication process, and we take pride in fostering talent and developing our team members. That’s why we created Maysteel University (Maysteel U), an internal training program that equips employees with the skills to advance their careers while strengthening our workforce.

The Importance of Welding in Fabrication

Welding is a cornerstone of metal fabrication, providing the strength and durability needed for industrial applications. From infrastructure and energy to telecommunications and data centers, welded metal enclosures and assemblies are essential in countless industries. Skilled welders ensure product integrity, making their expertise indispensable to manufacturing.

Despite its critical importance, the industry faces a growing shortage of skilled welders. As experienced professionals retire, the need for trained welders continues to rise. To bridge this gap, companies must invest in workforce development programs that provide hands-on training and career advancement opportunities. This is where Maysteel U comes in.

The Birth of Maysteel U

Maysteel University, or “Maysteel U” launched in 2022 with a Weld Operator training program designed to provide meaningful education and hands-on experience. The first two sessions were led by a local Wisconsin instructor who collaborated with Maysteel’s team to create a curriculum tailored to Maysteel’s specific manufacturing needs and broader industry standards.

From the start, Maysteel employees played a key role in shaping Maysteel U to ensure it was a relevant and valuable learning experience. The program was built to teach welding fundamentals and provide real-world applications that our team members could immediately put into practice.

We adopted a “train the trainer” approach to sustain and expand the program. Several Maysteel employees participated in the initial training and are now responsible for leading sessions internally. 

“At Maysteel, we are committed to investing in our employees and providing opportunities for growth. Maysteel U is a perfect example of how we are developing in-house talent and building a strong foundation for the future of our workforce,” shared Todd Kaull, Maysteel’s COO.

“Welding is an essential part of our manufacturing process, and skilled welders are the backbone of what we do. “

- Kevin Matkin, Maysteel CEO

What Maysteel U Offers

Maysteel U is open to all employees interested in advancing their careers by becoming Operator level welders. The three-week welding operator course is conducted during work hours and includes structured learning modules, hands-on training, and Maysteel’s welding certification test. Since its inception, 37 team members have completed Maysteel U including floor operators and engineers from multiple Maysteel locations.

Looking Ahead

Maysteel U is more than just a training program—it’s a pathway for employees to develop new skills, advance their careers, and contribute to the future of manufacturing. As we celebrate National Welding Month, we are excited to continue growing Maysteel U and investing in the talented individuals who make our company strong.

“Welding is an essential part of our manufacturing process, and skilled welders are the backbone of what we do. Maysteel U allows us to cultivate and empower our own workforce while giving our employees the opportunity to build long-term careers with us. We’re proud to celebrate National Welding Month by recognizing the success of this program and the people who make it possible," said Kevin Matkin, Maysteel CEO.
 

If you’re interested in joining our team or learning more about opportunities at Maysteel, visit our careers page today!