LEWISTON — Scott Record took Welding I to learn how to do projects around his Lewiston farm. The 41 goats keep him busy, but he hopes one day to gain enough welding skills to build a maple syrup evaporator.

“I think it’s a really good value. You get a lot of practice. All the supplies are provided,” he said of the Lewiston Adult Education class.

Record praised teacher Mike Cyr for covering the fundamentals and showing students the next steps. “The first day is safety, and then you get into it and learn the basics,” he said.

Students have done shielded metal arc welding, also known as stick welding.

Record plans to take Welding II in the winter-spring 2016 semester.

“It’s a good class if people want to learn the basics and see if they want to learn welding. I think it’s a good place to start,” he said.

Paula Walters of Lewiston comes from a family of welders. Her father, grandfather and aunt all worked as welders.

“I guess it runs in the family because I’m pretty good at it,” she said.

Walters took Welding I at Lewiston Adult Education in 2014 and would like to take Welding II. “I thought it was pretty fun. We had a lot of hands-on experience,” she said.

She is also going to attend the New England School of Metalwork in 2016. Walters hopes to build on what she has learned and make a career in welding as many in the field approach retirement age.

“There’s high demand for welders right now,” she said.

Patty Gray, an employment and training specialist at the Lewiston CareerCenter, agreed. “It’s a very in-demand position at this point,” she said. Wages for welders can range from $18 to $26 per hour, Gray said.

Welding I at Lewiston Adult Education is scheduled to begin on Jan. 27 and Welding II is set to start on Jan. 28.

FMI: 207-795-4141, www.lewistonadulted.org.

Copy the Story Link