LITTLE ROCK (KATV) — 70 employees of Little Rock-based steel fabricator Lexicon celebrated a milestone Thursday, graduating from the company’s skilled trades training program.
The employees received certificates from Lexicon University during a graduation ceremony at the Robinson Center in Little Rock.
The program, which began in 2022, trains employees in industrial maintenance, structural fitting and welding. The latest class is the largest in the program’s history, bringing the total number of graduates to more than 100.
“This signifies to Lexicon how important workforce training is to us,” Lexicon CEO Patrick Schueck said.
The training comes as construction and manufacturing companies face a growing need for skilled workers. Schueck said many experienced tradespeople are retiring, creating a need to bring new workers into the industry.
“We have a lot of welders that are retiring. We have a lot of skilled tradesmen that are leaving the craft because they’ve been doing it for such a long time, they’ve reached an age they have to retire,” Schueck said. “We’ve got to figure out a way to replenish the talent that’s helped build America.”
Lexicon also uses robotics in its steel fabrication operations. While automation can reduce the need for some tasks, Schueck said the company’s increased production has created a need for more employees.
“Now some people may look at that and think it’s going to replace people. It doesn’t. It makes us add people because our throughput is that much greater due to the robotics,” Schueck said.
For graduates like Winsley Henry IV, the continued use of technology has not diminished his confidence in welding as a career.
“I just believe that the welder job will never phase out because we have a robot in the building, and I feel like we out-weld it,” Henry said.
Catherine Brumbaugh, director of Lexicon Training and Development, said the program also aims to attract more people to skilled trades and help employees develop a long-term career with the company.
“Really, it’s just having people interested in trades altogether. So, once we have them, we want to get them hooked, in love with Lexicon and in love with their trade or their skill,” Brumbaugh said.
Lexicon said its training program is open to employees companywide. Some hands-on training is provided through a partnership with Arkansas Northeastern College.
“Our ultimate vision for Lexicon University will always be to be able to create a better way of life for the people of Lexicon. Period. End of story,” Schueck said.
