Page 7 - HIWT Summer 2012 World of Welding

hiwt@welding.org HOBART INSTITUTE OF WELDING TECHNOLOGY

HONORS GRADUATES CHOOSE UNION CAREER

Ethan Merten Kurt Scaggs

Two recent honors graduates from Hobart Institute have you to get out of your comfort zone and do things you’re not
joined the ranks of the United Association of Plumbers and used to doing. For example I was not able to weld with my left
Pipefitters Local 10 of Roanoke, Virginia. Ethan Merten hand before I came here and now know my left hand is just
of Hart, Michigan and Kurt Scaggs of Knotts Island, North as good, if not better, than my right hand. Education is a key
Carolina, have recently been assigned to work on a welding thing in every job. Without it, we would be lost.”
project at a nuclear power plant.
Kurt added, “I think the instructors gave me the most help
Both men completed the Combination Structural and Pipe with this. They gave me an insight about real-life welding
Welding Program with AWS and ASME certification along experiences and that information is invaluable. Being more
with perfect attendance and high honors. Ethan holds an prepared for what is actually going to happen to me in the field
Associate Degree in Welding from West Shore Community will take me far.”
College and is a graduate of Hart High School and the Mason
Lake ISD Tech Prep program in welding. Kurt is a graduate “My father had a great deal to do with my decision to join
of Curituck County High School. the United Association of Plumbers and Pipefitters Local 10,”
said Kurt. The United Association of Plumbers and Pipefitters
“Hobart Institute is a good hands-on welding school. The provides employees with additional training and a competitive
teachers are phenomenal at what they do and are more than salary and benefits.
willing to help any student that asks for it,” says Ethan.

“It took the skills that I already acquired other places and Ethan said, “I chose to apply to the UA because of the sense of
improved them immensely. If I had to do it all over again, I an adventure…seeing new things and doing what I love to do
would choose Hobart over any other school.” and that is to weld.”

Kurt agrees, “I thought it was a great place to start my welding When he is not welding, Ethan’s favorite thing to do is make
education and it gave me a good background from which maple syrup during the month of March.
to build my future. Overall, it was a great experience that I
would do again if I had to make that decision.” “Nothing in life will ever beat the smell of sugar coming
off that front pan as you are boiling the sap down,” Ethan
“I came down to Hobart to learn how to ‘walk the cup’ on commented.
pipe,” Ethan continued. “I was able to practice the 6G on
6-inch, 2-inch and also 2-inch double extra heavy pipe. I Kurt enjoys surfing, hunting, fishing and spending time with
anticipate this will help me out with TIG pipe, which will only friends and family.
get me further in my welding career. The teachers also push

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