Student advances local welding career through earn-while-you-learn opportunity
Tuesday, September 19, 2023
In May 2023 George received his Career Pathway Certificate after completing the 144-hour program. He had previously worked part-time at Design Build Structures and, by earning the certification, was moved to full-time.
George Abresch had some welding experience doing basic cutting and fusing projects, but not enough formal training to find good-paying, solid work using his skills. He’s always thought of welding as a good career fit.
Last January, he found the local opportunity he was looking for. A new earn-while-you-learn Welding (Gas Metal Arc Welding) program through Northeast Iowa Community College fine-tuned his skills, paid a stipend during his training and awarded him an industry credential. He graduated in May and gained full-time employment with Design Build Structures in Peosta.
“Having the hands-on experience in the Welding (GMAW) program was the biggest help I could ever have through this NICC program. I learn with my hands and this program is a phenomenal resource to build my resume and begin my career,” George said.
In May 2023 George received his Career Pathway Certificate after completing the 144-hour program. He had previously worked part-time at Design Build Structures and, by earning the certification, was moved to full-time.
“My confidence has grown and now I’m laying in quarter-inch welds in my work. I started at the bottom at the company and they’re working me up to welding fabrication on a full-time basis,” he said. “The company and my plant manager are wonderful. They give me the experience I need to get into welding fabrication.”
The earn-while-you-learn stipend paid George to learn and develop his welding skills. “This program and the paid training I received are one of the greatest things I have ever done in my career. I'm a better welder and I can see it in my welds. I would like to get more advanced training in the future with stick or TIG welding,” he said.
Students in the Welding (GMAW) Career Pathway Certificate program learn basic safety concepts and practices, welding symbols and welding blueprints. Students are also introduced to basic welds with steel and aluminum wire-fed Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW). For more information about the program, visit nicc.edu/cpc.
Northeast Iowa Community College has a variety of opportunities to earn a wage while learning. This earn and learn model benefits both students and local employers. For students, it provides not only career exploration but workforce readiness and technical skills to advance in their career. For businesses, it means you'll build a workforce equipped with the necessary technical skills that fit your unique needs. More information is available at nicc.edu/earnlearn.