August 23, 2025
The United States is facing a growing need for skilled tradespeople, with an average of 49,200 welders, solderers, and similar jobs needed each year over the next decade. In response to this demand, Wounded Warriors Family Support (WWFS) and United Automobile Workers-Ford (UAW-Ford) have collaborated to identify and train future welders through the Veterans Welding Training Program.
This August, we proudly honor the achievements of 9 veterans who have successfully completed six weeks of intensive training and certification. These veterans have demonstrated exceptional commitment and skill, and we celebrate their readiness to enter the welding industry.
Honored Certified Graduates
- Teresa McFerson, Onsted, MI
- Kris Mauchley, Aiken, SC
- Jeramis McFadden, Fort Worth, TX
- Corey Northup, Somerville, TN
- John McCurley, Cocoa, FL
- Earle Kaplan, Keaau, HI
- Daniel Sanders, Saint Joseph, MO
- Gary Dodds, Suwanee, GA
- Juan Lazo, Paterson, NJ
- Training & Certification: The program includes instructional training and certification processes, preparing participants for apprenticeships and entry-level positions in industries such as automotive, shipbuilding, and construction.
- Support & Benefits: UAW-Ford covers the cost of the program, providing instructors, training facilities, food, equipment, and tools. WWFS covers lodging and other necessities for the duration of the training, including a weekly stipend and boots.
- Future Opportunities: There are openings for our Veterans Welding Training Program class in 2025 at the UAW-Ford Technical Training Center in Lincoln Park, Michigan. Interested veterans can learn more and apply by visiting WWFS Veteran Welding Training Program.
This class also decided to give back to their amazing team of instructors. The class had custom wood boxes made for each of the instructors. These had Ford, UAW, and WWFS logos burned into them as well as instructors name and a thank you message to each of them. Very classy gesture and well deserved for these trainers who spend weeks with each of them veterans to get them fully trained and certified in welding.
United Automobile Workers & Ford Motor Company are leaders in developing a broad range of approaches to worker involvement and labor-management cooperation. These efforts, which have expanded and deepened over the years, have helped transform the Company in many ways. They have helped Ford plants gain recognition for being among the most productive in the world, and they have contributed to increased market share, improved economic performance, and enhanced employee development and work satisfaction.
The Ford and UAW joint initiatives are national and local. At both levels, they address matters of common concern in areas such as product quality, education, and development, employee involvement, team structures, work technical skills redesign, health and safety, ergonomics, employee assistance, apprenticeship, and labor-management studies. Learn more about UAW-Ford at uawford.org.
Wounded Warriors Family Support is an independent nonprofit organization whose mission is to provide support to the families of those who have been wounded, injured, or killed during combat operations. This organization is run by combat veterans for combat veterans. Rated a four-star nonprofit by Charity Navigator, Wounded Warriors Family Support aids veterans and their families in healing the wounds that medicine cannot.
