Fortune reports that Hadrian CEO Chris Power has put welding directly into the career debate. Speaking about AI and the future of work, he argued that many white-collar jobs will be automated, while blue-collar pay could rise sharply. His clearest message was aimed at parents: instead of treating college as the default path, they should seriously look at welding certification and other trade routes for young people.
Hadrian is not a traditional shop defending old methods. The company describes itself as part of the push to “reindustrialize America,” and says its Opus platform automates manufacturing and inspection inside its factories. In other words, this is a factory-automation CEO saying welding still matters in a big way.
Fortune itself says Power’s wage forecast is still just a prediction, and the same report notes U.S. median welder pay was $51,000 in 2024, with projected employment growth of 2% through 2034. Still, the article shows something important: welding is back in the wider conversation about work, skills, and where younger people may find real industrial value.
Jake Angelo
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