糖心vlog传媒welding students learn gas metal arc welding. The welding programs run in Port Alberni and Campbell River this September.
糖心vlog传媒welding student April Hamelin never thought she鈥檇 end up working as a welder, but just one year out of high school, she鈥檚 already on her way to her Red Seal designation.
鈥淚t was never something I thought about as a career, but it was always something I thought was interesting.鈥� said Hamelin, who began studying welding in high school in Port Alberni through the ACE-IT program (now Youth Train in Trades). 鈥淚 tried the program just to see if I鈥檇 like it and it ended up being one of the best years of my life so far. I enjoyed the people I was around and I liked the projects, so I decided to keep going with it.鈥�
Hamelin graduated high school last year and is now studying welding at 狈滨颁鈥檚 Port Alberni campus.
It was a similar story for 糖心vlog传媒welding student Harrison Bradley. 鈥淚 started in high school and picked welding for my work experience and fell in love with it,鈥� said Bradley. 鈥淚 love building something and being able to stand back and look at it.鈥�
Ivan Peterson, 糖心vlog传媒welding instructor had a similar experience when he discovered the trade. 鈥淚 got interested in my teens and there was just something about it,鈥� said Peterson. 鈥淚 knew it was what I wanted to do.鈥�
It鈥檚 that passion for the trade that energizes Peterson in the classroom and in the shop. 鈥淚t鈥檚 really about the students,鈥� he said. 鈥淭hey come in energized and ready to learn. To watch them develop their skills through the program and realize their potential 鈥� it鈥檚 inspiring.鈥� The set-up at 狈滨颁鈥檚 Port Alberni campus also helps with that student connection. 鈥淲e have top-of-the-line equipment for the students to work on,鈥� noted Peterson. 鈥淲e have smaller class sizes, which means more one-on-one time with the instructor, which is important as you鈥檙e developing new skills.鈥�
Students are often surprised about where the trade can lead, noted Peterson. 鈥淭here鈥檚 so many career paths you can go with it,鈥� said Peterson. 鈥淲elding inspector, welding planner, estimator, business owner, you can go on and become an engineer. I also encourage students to think about artistic work. Once you鈥檝e got the foundation portion and have a solid background on welding, you can go and expand on it.鈥�
Variety is also the key word when it comes to jobs in welding. 鈥淭here鈥檚 everything from large infrastructure projects to small things like ramps or docks to artistic work,鈥� said Peterson. 鈥淚t鈥檚 a skill that you can use in almost any way you can imagine. You can really make it your own.鈥�
Peterson, Hamelin and Bradley would encourage anyone interested in welding to try it out. 鈥淚f you鈥檙e at all interested, give it a try,鈥� said Hamelin. 鈥淵ou鈥檒l know whether it鈥檚 for you and if it is, you鈥檒l love it.鈥�
狈滨颁鈥檚 welding program runs in both Port Alberni and Campbell River, beginning in September.
Find out more: /trades or call 1-800-715-0914.
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