Page 23 - HIWT Fall 2015 World of Welding

Use Your Resources To Build A Successful Welding Program

If you are just entering to go to work, or trade school/college ready. I knew I had to fnd
the welding education a program that allowed me to meet the needs of local employers,
profession, either in a had resources I could use, and was well respected in the welding
public school system or a community, enter Hobart Inst. of Weld Technology.
private facility: the most
important thing is to build I ordered the Basic kit and received a selection of videos that were
a program that employers professionally made along with the instructor and student guides.
know they can call upon to I also ordered some posters to put up on the wall and looked over
supply them the entry level the curriculum they sent to me and I liked it immediately, straight
or advanced welder they to the point all wheat and no chaff. This is what I was searching
require. For teachers who for a program with a step by step approach with results, support
are new to the job in their videos that were direct and real, and a number I could call when
frst year or so they may I had a question, now I had quality portion addressed. I started
not know where to look using the curriculum and the results were immediate my students
By Biazzio Giordano for help. I was a 20 year were learning faster with a direct approach to the outcome, my
construction welder and I knew many pipe welders but I knew no employers were pleased but my budget for materials was a bit
one in welding education to give me a hand. However, that frst larger due to getting the steel cut and delivered. I went to my
year my supervisor allowed me to attend a "Tech Prep" conference supervisor and explained the situation, he was sorry but the money
in Louisville, and I learned one very important thing that has been was thin and he had another program that was also needing some
a backbone of my welding program for many years, "If you feed items. As a teacher I can understand that situation as welding is a
them they will come". I applied that advice to my frst PTA after very expensive subject, and everyone thinks that their program is
my return, and knew I wanted to include my students in the PTA the most important, so I accepted the decision. However as I was
that was scheduled. Now for me PTA was a long wait knowing leaving I reminded him of the PTA we had earlier, and the success
that sister Mary Kathryn was going to tell my mom the whole deal, we had at the state welding competition. I was asked the next day
and Dad and I would have a discussion later on, so as you can see to go and place the order for the steel, he had found some money
getting the kids to buy into the ideal that they come to the PTA with for the program. Now without using my resources ,in the case of
their parents was not well received. I assured them that I would the PTA my students and their parents, or my culinary friend to
not discuss their grades or their behavior, but WE would set up provide the visiting student chapter and students a meal, and most
welding demonstrations, have handouts on welding schools, Invite importantly my suppliers for lending a hand my PTA would have
a student chapter of the AWS to come and maybe try and get an been less than steller. My supervisor would not have noticed the
employer to stop by . Now I had their attention and thought that this program, (he likes to eat also) and my request for steel denied.
was good advice to follow so, I had a dinner for them after setting
up for the evening and the shop was set for the PTA. The Student We now have our own student chapter of the AWS, and our
chapter made a very good presentation to the class, my friend Hobart training has grown to include weld symbols, Advanced
down in the culinary dept. made a cake decorated with the AWS and Structural welding leading to qualifcation in all positions. Our
logo and provided the dinner and servers to the class and our guest. program has been very successful with welders entering the trade
The students parents were advised well in advance of the event, for further education, military, trade and industry school or college.
and our local weld suppliers supplied us with products for the raffe The AWS Philadelphia section has been most supportive of the
we had. The students grilled hot dogs for their parents and guest, class and we are fortunate to host a section meeting once a year
everyone won some kind of trinket, but my principle was impressed here in our area. This has helped draw attention to our students by
as we had over 30 people show up in addition to the parents. I our association with the Section and allowed them to apply for the
have done this for years with much success and my students love section scholarship as well as other opportunities with employment.
showing their parents what the CAN do, and showing off for their Sometimes the resource might be elusive (employers, suppliers,
friend's. This has resulted in the cousins, brothers, and friends just students) and you have to look for it, and sometimes it is free in
waiting for their chance to be in "Mr. G's class" The die was cast the form of instructional videos from suppliers and equipment
for success but not without results and that means students able manufacturers, keep in mind never be afraid to ask.

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