Exciting New Opportunities at Memphis Welding School
Welcome to Memphis, Tennessee, where a brand-new school is offering budding talents a chance to delve into the world of welding and infrastructure development! The Memphis Welding School, located on Jackson Avenue in North Memphis, is making headlines as it holds the distinction of being the first Black-owned welding school in the city. Spearheading this initiative is Reginald Lewis, the school’s president, who has an inspiring story to tell.
Giving Back to the Community
After over 30 years of dedicated service at the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA), Reginald felt a strong desire to give back to his community. “I was trained by TVA for a year, and after over 30 years of service, I want to give back to this community,” Lewis shared passionately.
Under his guidance, this school is dedicated to teaching young folks not just skills for today, but also skills that will help them thrive in the future. What sets this school apart is its one-year apprenticeship program, which is in partnership with the Tennessee Department of Labor. It’s an exclusive offering that other welding schools in the state just can’t match!
Students Taking Charge of Their Futures
Among the students shining in this program is 24-year-old Kiersten Moon. She shared her journey with enthusiasm: “I came in blind, and I am just flourishing at this trade. Some people say that I’m a natural.” Kiersten is proud to be one of the ten sponsored students in this year’s class, and she sees a bright future ahead. She notes that in a few years, she’s set to earn above six figures, which excites her about building a solid foundation for her son.
The future seems just as bright for her classmates too! With data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics showing that jobs in welding, cutting, soldering, and brazing are projected to grow by two percent by 2033, there’s plenty of opportunities for these students to make a significant impact on infrastructure projects, especially with big projects like Ford Motor Company’s new electric vehicle and battery plant coming to West Tennessee.
Hands-On Experience
The days at Memphis Welding School start bright and early. Students enjoy practical training under the watchful eye of veteran instructor John Burress. His joy for teaching is infectious: “It’s a blessing for me to do it, because I asked, God, what can I do now with my talent? Give back,” he said.
John is all about passing down knowledge and skill, and whether you’re a total novice or have some experience, he’s there to help guide you to success. Student Rubin Black, eager to advance his skills, said, “I like to work with my hands and I felt like it’d be a great opportunity to further myself.”
Why Welding Matters
Welding is one of those trades that connects almost everything we see and use in the world. Fellow student Hayden Enfield made a compelling point: “Anything you look at in the world, a welder had something to do with it, so you’ll never go without a job.”
A Call for Support
The Memphis Welding School is actively seeking support from the community in the form of donations for equipment, supplies, and other necessary resources to keep expanding their impact. If you’re interested in helping out or learning more about this fantastic opportunity, they encourage you to reach out in various ways to contribute and support the next generation of skilled welders!
As Memphis grows and evolves, so too does the potential for its young people. With schools like the Memphis Welding School, the future is looking bright! Who knows? The next great builder of our city’s infrastructure could be sitting in this very classroom!
