One thing Ethan Blatchley did not want to do for another four years was sit at a desk to earn a degree.
A recent trip to Western Welding Academy in Gillette, Wyoming, reaffirmed the graduating high school senior’s choice to pursue a welding certificate, finishing up in six months.
Since he started learning how to weld in shop class last year, Blatchley has been following the academy’s social media posts. He shared them with shop teacher Winston Davies, who was inspired to pursue his own certificate.
“(The academy has) a huge social media presence. They’re really good about marketing themselves,” Davies said. “They’re trying to capitalize on the need for skilled workers. They know the moment is right for this.”
As Davies researched the school, he realized they were holding a one-day teachers workshop, which would allow him to immerse himself in welding and earn a certificate. A student competition was being held the next day, so he encouraged Blatchley to join him on a trip and compete.
Every student who competed automatically earned $1,000 toward their $25,000 tuition, Davies said. First place won $25,000 — or a free ride — toward their tuition, second place won $15,000 and third place won $10,000. Though Blatchley wasn’t in the top three, he did learn quite a bit and it motivated him to learn more when he begins school in September.
Four rounds of welding competition were held in 86 booths. There were around 600 competitors in high school and open divisions. Blatchley said his competition involved two different types of welds, one of which was a more complicated vertical weld.
He was also able to meet the people who will be his instructors, giving him an idea of what classes will be like.
“I like them. They’re easy to talk to,” he said. “None of them were awkward or weird. They’re all super nice.”
For students that are more inclined to attend trade school, Davies said the decision makes sense for those who want to put in the work. Starting welders can make $80,000-plus per year.
“Somebody that wants to work a 40-hour work week probably (won’t make that much),” he said. “But these kids, a lot of them are fishermen. They have the mindset. They work when they need to, as many hours as they need.”
Three of Davies senior students are going to trade schools after they graduate this Friday. Blatchley, Jacen Hay and Kyle Hommel.
Both Davies and Blatchley had new experiences on the Wyoming trip. For Blatchley, it was seeing things like antelope, coyotes and roadkill, along with wood pallets being used as highway-side snow barriers.
For Davies, it was experiencing a different education culture.
“It was a completely different culture than what I’m used to. I’m not a welder. I was a math and science teacher for years,” he said. “I can weld, but it’s a different thing, there’s a style and culture that surrounds it.”
A shop teacher from Texas brought two of his students who won second and third place in the competition, Davies said. After seeing that and seeing how much more he can learn and provide his students, he decided he wants to bring a shop class group next year to compete.
Blatchley supported the idea.
“I think it’s an amazing idea,” he said. “They get to see a different part of the country. It’s super-flat down there. See what it’s like to be in the trade. I think it’s really cool.”
Reader Comments(0)