Page 6 - Summer 2014 World of Welding

THE WORLD OF WELDING http://www.welding.org

SUCCESS STORY

BUILDING SHIPS WITH BRAD SHADE

I started classes at Hobart Institute of Welding Technology I replied, “Yes.” He nodded his head and shut the curtain.
in late 2008. I took the 9-month Combination Structural I completed my tests and he looked at it. I was the only one
and Pipe Welding Program without hesitation, knowing that in the group to be hired in as first class with a hefty bonus.
someday the pipe knowledge would come in handy in my skill They were also impressed with my perfect attendance. Perfect
trade. I graduated with perfect attendance in mid-2009. Every attendance is HARD to do, but it’s something every employer
time there was a demonstration or teaching, I was all eyes and considers. If you graduate with perfect attendance you also get
ears, soaking up as much as I could because nine months goes your name displayed for everyone to see! So having my name
fast! Graduation was right around the corner. Whenever there on a shiny plaque means I win, right?!
was any ‘free time’…I was in my booth, burning. The saying
is, “If you ain’t burning- you ain’t learning.” I worked in the in Mississippi shipyard on the LPD 24 also
known as the USS Arlington, one of three 9-11 tribute ships
I had heard that a shipyard that has military contracts was which I am very proud of. Work eventually got slow, but
coming to Hobart to give welding tests to anyone interested. I with my 1st class journeyman title, they offered me a chance
decided to take the chance and test. On test day, their company to go to their nuclear ship yard in Virginia. I saw this as an
representatives had messed everything up inside the booth opportunity and jumped at the chance. There I worked on the
just to see if we could set it up properly. I went in my booth USS Ford, one of the new classes of nuclear aircraft carriers. I
and re-set everything up for FCAW and started my welding received an offer to be transferred to their yard within a month,
test before the instructors got around to check on me. The but I refused with hopes of going back to the Gulf Coast once
instructor peeked in while I was welding, and said to me, “Did this contract was up and work picked up down south.
you set this up?”
(Continued on page 7)

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