Welding intern Isaiah (left) learns from business host Roy at Himes Service Company (right) as he demonstrates the functions of a control panel.
Building Tomorrow’s Welders: Local Students Gain Real-World Skills
(Waco, TX) –When Isaiah, a student at Waco ISD’s Greater Waco Advanced Manufacturing Academy (GWAMA), first stepped onto the production floor at Himes Service Company, he was eager but unsure of his abilities. Within weeks of hands-on training and guidance from his business host, Isaiah’s uncertainty turned into confidence. “Working here showed me the tools and technology I’ll need to master to land a great job in welding. Now I feel confident and ready to take on my future,” Isaiah shared.
Isaiah’s story is one of many emerging from the YES! High School Student Welding Internship program, a collaborative effort between Workforce Solutions for the Heart of Texas and GWAMA. Through this unique program, high school students like Isaiah gain paid, hands-on experience at local businesses including Central Texas Iron Works, Behlen Manufacturing, Himes Service Company, Packaging Corporation of America (PCA), and Knauf North America.
Welding intern Edwardo gains hands-on experience at Central Texas Iron Works, refining his skills on a structural steel component.
Roy Letbetter, HR Manager at Himes Service Company, highlighted the dual benefits of the program: “The students are learning valuable skills through real-world experience, and our business benefits from developing future talent right here in our community. It’s truly a win-win.”
The program aims to bridge the gap between education and employment, empowering students to explore careers in the skilled trades while businesses cultivate their future workforce. Click here to learn more about the YES! High School Student Welding Internship.