20-Year Prospect
Metal isn't gonna weld itself.
Well, robots might do it. But they'll still need someone to supervise the robots. And to weld them when they break down.
Welding will be around in twenty years. It will be around in forty years. But the job will continue to change as new and advanced forms of welding take hold. Like welding security gates for our genetically engineered dino parks.
Job growth in this field is currently at six percent, which is slightly slower than average job growth across all industries (source). Still, skilled welders should find plenty of opportunities. Plus, the current welding labor force is pretty old: The average age is fifty-five after all (source). That means there will be a lot of room for young welders when the old folks all retire.
So if you're willing to go the extra mile and actually obtain a college degree in welding, you should find ample opportunities to test your skills in the next twenty years.