The skill of welding joins two pieced of metal and now an advanced program at Salina Tech will join newly-skilled workers with jobs.
"It is a lot of practice to make it perfect, hours and hours," student Daniel Muchow said.
Muchow was 11 when he developed a passion for the trade.
"If something broke out at the farm, dad hands it to me, I get in there and help him out," Muchow said. "One day I woke up and went 'wow, I could do this.'"
More students could start a career in welding, now that Salina Tech has received a $200,000 grant. The grant will get more tools into the students hands, which will, in turn, increase the workforce in Salina.
"There's a continuing need for folks that know how to work with metal, that is a mechanist or welder," Dennis Lauver, President and CEO of the Salina Area Chamber of Commerce, said.
The demand means more jobs for students.
"The last three years I've had 100 percent job placement with my graduates," instructor Eric Vannoy said.
Muchow hopes its a promis that will deliver when he graduates," I'll be able to get a place, get my own truck and get out there," he said.
