The Milton Campus of Pensacola State College hosted the SkillsUSA Preliminary Welding competition this week which featured 40 area students currently enrolled in the PSC welding program, currently available at the Milton and Century locations.
In addition to being judged on welding skills put to task on site, students also had to complete written tests and undergo mock interviews. Participants were able to show off their creativity by creating unique metal sculptures.
“This allows the industry to come and see them shine,” said Perry Henkes, welding instructor and master trainer at the Milton PSC campus.
Available for more than a year, the PSC welding program was necessary, Henkes said, as the need for trained welders in this country has increased.
“Right now in our country, we are short 250,000 welders,” Henkes said. “Most of the people in this trade are retiring so we are trying to bring these young ones up quickly.”
Henkes said there is a need for trained welders across the globe, adding that with demand, comes good compensation. Henkes said welders can find jobs which can pay up to $40 an hour and offer a six figure salary.
The program does not just consist of college age students, but also individuals looking for a career change as well. At 49, Milton resident John Drew was inspired to enroll after noticing the program was available locally. Drew said he is appreciative of having a teacher like Henkes, who has experience while working in the trade.
“It makes a difference coming to something like this and you got somebody who know what they are doing and not just teaching out of a book,” Drew said. “This is something he has done for years and years.”
While Drew did not opt to compete Wednesday, he assisted in operating the virtual welding lab which challenges welding students prior to handling an actual torch. The lab, currently available to welding students at the Milton campus, allows new students to practice the trade in multiple scenarios and settings.
While Drew is looking to find a job after earning his certification, other students are looking to learn the skill as a trade to fall back upon.
Christopher DeCarolis and his father, Chuck, started the program in January looking to graduate next month from the program. Christopher anticipates to continue with the trade in the near future.
“Without hesitation, I would say we enjoy welding,” Christopher said. “Down the road after I get some experience and then established, I look to start a business.”
The passion for welding comes from a love of building, Christopher said.
“Look around at the metal you put together…to manipulate this metal, you are harnessing the power of the sun,” he said.
Although there are students who decide to follow another career path, Chuck said the students competing in the event have shown dedication to the trade.
“Everyone that is here and has remained into this last semester, to us has shown that they want to stay, are doing good and having fun,” Chuck said.
This article originally appeared on Santa Rosa Press Gazette: PSC: Milton campus hosts welding competition