Unions Recruit Welding Students before Graduation
22 welding students from the Anoka Technical College have been accepted into unions that included Millwright Union 548, Minneapolis Pipefitters, Boilermakers Union, St. Paul Pipefitters, and Ironworkers Union. Contractors said that the students from the college were some of the best they have seen and have led the unions to continue recruiting students.
15 of the 21 recruits are second-year students who are graduating this month and six are first year students. A recent graduate was also recruited. The unions recruit the students due to their exemplary skills as well as the lack of skilled workers in the improving economy.
Sireena Blue, a graduate of Anoka Tech welding program and a recruit of a union, said that the instructors are the best. She said that the college has five instructors and all of them had skills they had to offer. The students are exposed to various techniques that are beneficial for them in the field.
The Anoka Technical College Welding Technology program has two welding certificates, an associate and a diploma in applied science degree program. They were designed to develop welding skills used in the major welding processes that are important to the industry. Pipe welders are in demand and Anoka Tech offers more credits in pipe welding compared to any college in the state.
Welding is a male dominated field but Anoka’s STEP program has attracted a record number of female high school students. 11th and 12th graders are provided hands-on training while getting high school and college credit. In the two classes offered this spring, six of the 41 students were female. In a class of 20 students earlier this year, five were female. Instructors said that female students are starting to understand the career path and there are high paying welding jobs available on the job market. They are also good at it.
