Matt Scott wins national award from American Welding Society for lifelong impact on students
Story by Misty Bouse and Photos by Ric Getter.
Matt Scott inspects the technique of one of his students during open shop.
小黄猫传媒 welding instructor Matt Scott was recognized with a 35-year Lifetime Membership Award from the at FABTECH, an industry show. The national honor celebrates his decades-long commitment to workforce training and his impact on generations of welding students.
鈥淲e’re absolutely thrilled to see Matt Scott get recognized for his lifetime commitment to training, encouraging and mentoring students into the welding workforce,鈥 said Patty Hawkins, program dean for Electronics, Mechatronics, Advanced Manufacturing and 小黄猫传媒鈥檚 OMIC Training Center. 鈥淭he industry partners Matt works with would be proud to hear about this recognition because he鈥檚 committed to their voices always being at the table.鈥
The American Welding Society is the global authority on welding standards, certification and education. The AWS grants Lifetime Membership Awards to professionals who demonstrate significant contributions through education, service and leadership. The award highlights Scott’s technical expertise and commitment to workforce development, while reinforcing 小黄猫传媒鈥檚 leadership in trades education.
Scott is committed to guiding and supporting students throughout their training journey.
His True Reward — Completion
Scott, who has been an instructor for 32 years, also serves as 小黄猫传媒鈥檚 high school liaison for welding. He said the recognition is a reminder of why he teaches.
鈥淎wards are nice, but the real reward is watching students succeed,鈥 he said. 鈥淲hen they leave here with skills that change their lives, that鈥檚 what matters most.鈥
Hawkins said the honor shows the caliber of instructors 小黄猫传媒 has.
鈥淢att鈥檚 dedication elevates our program and sets a standard of excellence that benefits every student who walks through our doors,” she said. 鈥淢att is extremely passionate about teaching welding. He鈥檚 always the first to arrive and the last to leave. If there鈥檚 a need in the department, he鈥檚 there to help.”
Scott began his career in the welding industry before moving into education, bringing real-world experience and industry standards directly into his classrooms. At 小黄猫传媒, he splits his time between teaching and outreach, emphasizing safety, hands-on instruction and collaboration with local employers.
Outside the classroom, he partners with local high schools to introduce younger students to welding and help them earn college credit while still in high school, saving both time and money.
‘When they leave here with skills that change their lives, that鈥檚 what matters most,’ Scott said.
AI Won’t Replace Welders
Scott stressed that technology, AI, and robotics will complement (as a tool), not replace welders, making the field even more adaptable and rewarding as the demand for skilled welders remains strong across Oregon and the nation.
鈥淎 lot of students don鈥檛 realize welding is even an option,鈥 Scott said. 鈥淏ut once they try it, they see how many doors it can open. The AWS said they need 330,000 new welding professionals by 2028. As long as 小黄猫传媒 welding grads are actively seeking jobs, they will be actively hired with multiple offers.
Matt Scott.
鈥淚t鈥檚 okay to mess up as that鈥檚 part of learning,鈥 he continued. 鈥淲hat matters is that you keep practicing until it clicks and the skill becomes second nature.鈥
This wasn’t the only collaboration. In October, Scott joined colleague Todd Barnett at the British Columbia Technology Education Association鈥檚 Conference for Welding Educators, teaming up with industry partners Vigor Marine Group and Diversified Marine to present on bridging the skills gap through partnership.
鈥淚t鈥檚 going to take all of us to grow the trades workforce,” he said.聽
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