February is Career and Technical Education (CTE) Month and Blue River Career Programs will be spotlighting its programs and a student from each program Monday through Friday in the Shelby County Post during the month of February.
The CTE spotlight today is the Welding Program and welding student Hannah Dow.
“Ever since I was a little girl, I dreamed of working with and saving animals in need. As I got older, I realized that I can’t take the heartache that comes with it,” said Dow. “So, for the longest time I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do but I was sure college wasn’t for me. When it came to having to figure out what I wanted to do, I was still unsure until I saw Blue River offered a welding class and I figured I’d give it a shot.”
Dow (photo) found the class helped her understand many of life’s lessons.
“Welding has taught me many valuable lessons such as passion, patience, and work ethic. Each of these has helped me become the person I am today,” she said. “Welding is a tedious process that requires patience. I’ve learned how to stay focused and persistent, even when things get challenging.”
Dow enjoys the hands-on experience the program provides.
“My favorite thing about the welding program at BRCP is the opportunity they hand you,” she said. “They provide you with a great deal of options for after graduation, It has helped in guiding me to the future I desire.
“One big goal I have set for myself after graduation is to go to a technical school. My dream school is American Welding Academy. After graduating from technical school, I would love to maybe start a business of my own one day.”
The Blue River Career Programs’ Welding program is an interactive and engaging program where students learn hands-on what it takes to become welders. Students learn structural welding as well as much of the theory behind welding. This includes safety, welding fundamentals, metallurgy, electrical principles, applied mathematics, welding symbols, and blueprint reading.
Some of the processes taught include shielded metal arc welding, gas metal arc welding, gas tungsten arc welding, oxyfuel cutting, and plasma arc cutting.
Students can earn SENSE Entry Level 1 certifications as well as dual credentials through Ivy Tech. The Blue River Welding Program is a two-year program.
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