By Daegan Waagmeester
Social Media Editor

Welding is considered one of the most valuable trades around as according to the U.S Bureau of Labor Statistics. However, welding can be intimidating to start for some. Luckily the welding program at Clackamas Community College is offering new ways for students wanting to start in the trade.

The welding shop at work. Photo by Carlos Rodriguez-Picazo

The program has increased options to students by bringing back late night welding classes and adding Spanish welding courses. The Introduction to Welding Class in Spanish, WLD 102 ES, course meets Saturdays 6:00 pm – 9:50 pm.

A lot happens at once in the welding facility. Students move back and forth with metal to be turned into projects. Welders grind and polish their items to get them into the form they want. In the background forklifts and other heavy equipment move around them. 

A forklift goes to work transporting metal. Photo by Carlos Rodriguez-Picazo

Despite the noise of blowtorches firing and metal scraping, students said they felt calm in the space. “It’s cool, we have a lot of fun here,” said David Grunwald, a student finishing his two year degree this term.

Tuiler Rabang said her dad wanted to be a welder and told her about the program.

“I didn’t really know what I wanted to do. So I just wanted to try it and I ended up falling in love with welding.”

Student Tuiler Rabang uses an angle grinder. Photo by Carlos Rodriguez-Picazo

Instructor John Phelps expects the largest graduating class in the program’s history this spring.

“I came here as a student in 2003, and I’ve heard the same message since 2003,” said Phelps. “The need and demand for welders has not gone down.  It continues to grow.” 

Welding instructor John Phelps. Photo by Carlos Rodriguez-Picazo

Phelps said more than 30 students have been placed with a local business that needed welders. One of them, Jorge Jimenez, is also now working at the college as a student teacher in the Spanish welding class. “I had a job with RECONCRAFT after my first semester at CCC,” said Jimenez. “Welding is like art to me, I like the end result of all the work you put into it. There’s a lot of noise but when I’m welding it actually calms my mind.”

Welding student teacher and Spanish class instructor Jorge Jimenez. Photo by Carlos Rodriguez-Picazo