By Matthew Le Blanc
Feb 8, 2023
Eighteen students in Fort St. John got a crash course in welding last week.
“It’s been fun, learning a skill I can use outside of school, to get a job after I graduate or during high school,” said Dolly Standalone, a Grade 9 student at Bert Bowes.
Given an introduction to arc welding and MIG welding, along with safety training, the students made everything from key chains, wiener roasting sticks, sculptures, Batman symbols, and cowbells. The five-day camp gives them some practice before being able to take elective welding and metals classes later in their schooling.
“Most of them came in with little to no experience so it is an introduction: let’s lay your first bead, we’ll show you how it works, focus on safety,” said NPSS metal shop teacher Ian Zackodnik.
Students spent up to six hours a day welding, learning about the different kinds of metals and how to use a plasma cutter and drill press. On Saturday, they invited their parents into the shop to show off their new skills and wares.
“The improvement you see over five days is immense,” Zackodnik said. “The entire time they’re welding, welding, welding.”
It’s the first time the camp, targeted at youth ages 12 to 17, returned to Fort St. John since the Covid-19 pandemic. A camp was held in Prespatou last year.
“We want to make sure that we provide lots of opportunity for students to explore careers,” said Brian Campbell, district principal of careers and international education for School District 60.
“We’re trying to do that at an earlier age. This is a great week to be able to expose kids to welding.”
Article courtesy of Alaska Highway News by Matt Preprost