A research project, which involved a review of welding education research and surveys of welders in two states and the presidents of chapters of the American Welding Society throughout the United States, was conducted to gather empirical data from which welding curricula may be revised so as to reflect the changes in the welding industry caused by the recent upheaval in the U.S. economic system. It was concluded that high school students anticipating a career in welding should take basic education classes involving the scientific laws of mechanics, mathematics, human relations, communications, and economics related to employment and home. Vocational training schools teaching welding should broaden their curricula to encompass the training requirements for weld-fitters to provide for their acceptance within many industrial concerns. To bridge the gap between schools and industry, vocational schools should expand cooperative training programs and should develop a closer working relationship with their advisory committees. Because of the rapidity of economic change within our nation, vocational schools must conduct periodic surveys to determine the acceptability of their graduates within their respective geographic areas of concern. (Appendixes include comments made by respondents and copies of the two survey instruments.) (MN)