Welding has grown into a desired career pathway for many students and Bremen has now offered that career initiative at an extra step.
Bremen has offered the Welding 1 and 2 as semester-long courses for many years, but as of last school year Welding 3 and 4 have been added as classes that students can register for.
Students in Welding 1 learn about many areas in the field. One specific thing that is taught is stick welding: a manual process that uses a flux-covered electrod to create a weld. As students advance to Welding 2, they move to more advanced activities such as MIG welding. Stick welding and MIG welding are different because with MIG, arc welding is used to create an electric arc to join two pieces of metal together.
This past year, students in Welding 3 were able to advance their skills even more;. students could grow further knowledge with MIG welding and then eventually enter Welding 4 where they could actually complete some TIG Welding- I type of welding this is used in high-tech industries like automotive and aerospace.
The after school program that allows students the ability to practice welding from 4 to 7 in the afternoon. This program takes place Tuesdays and Thursdays and is a pathway for those interested in taking that extra step into welding beyond high school. Student Erik Meza truly enjoys the program. “I look forward to going into the trades and welding is a pretty considerable option. I really enjoy coming in, knowing that this is my future in my hands,” Meza said.
Some students are able to get hands-on experience with welding companies. Various 228 students work with a company known as MI-Jack during Welding 4 class. The company, MI-Jack located in Hazel Crest, specializes in gantry cranes which transport and move large mass products such as shipment containers, machinery and equipment.
By working with businesses such as MI-Jack, students are able to go into the actual work environment and experience what it is like to actually fuse operational parts together. Some students take advantage of the ability to work as apprentices while still going to school. Although students have not earned a salary with this type of experience, there have been talks about this part of the program being a paid work experience.
Although this is not currently a paid program, some students are already using their experiences from this welding program to make money. “I am currently a car mechanic outside of school and welding offers me to expand my knowledge and has helped me take on frame and muffler jobs at the shop with more confidence than ever before. My boss is pleased with me being so young and being able to complete such jobs,” explains student Issac Bueno.
Students who complete all 4 semesters of welding earn the opportunity to get their welding certification through the class. Welding certification can give these specific students a higher chance to land a job after high school.
Overall, the welding program has been a huge success leading students down a path for success in their futures. The instructor and student both seem to be pleased with the Welding program in 228. “This program has been a success in getting students into such work fields, many students have graduated and earned their welding certificates and obtained welding/fabrication jobs,” explains the Welding Program Instructor, Mr. Young.
