Skilled trades are key to building strong communities in the Middle Kuskokwim region. When local youth gain training in careers like welding and construction, they help strengthen our workforce and create opportunities close to home. Programs that provide practical, hands-on skills ensure our communities grow with talent rooted right here.
We are proud to recognize three TKC youth Shareholders who recently completed a Structural Welding Program hosted by Yuut Elitnaurviat in Bethel. Through dedication and hard work, these young men completed an intensive training program under the guidance of instructor Dennis Dishon.
The program was delivered over three sessions held October 20–31, December 2–17, and January 12–28, and included 520 hours of combined hands-on welding training and industry curriculum, according to their certificates of completion. Participants gained both classroom instruction and practical experience designed to prepare them for careers in construction and welding.
Students learned technical and practical
skills, including:
- Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW), Flux-Cored Arc Welding (FCAW), and oxy-fuel cutting
- Welding codes, specifications, and structural design principles
- Reading blueprints and practicing layout and fabrication
- Safe work habits and proper equipment use
The training emphasized safety, teamwork, and applied learning, giving participants the opportunity to build confidence while working with professional tools and equipment.
When asked what inspired him to sign up for the program, Keegan Ward answered, “I thought it would be a good learning experience and help me get to learn skills to better my future.”
William Morgan recognized the value of the skills and how useful welding can be in everyday life, “I think that learning how to weld is a good thing to know. If something I have breaks like my snowmachine undercarriage or like a truck part, then I can weld it back together using some of the stuff that I was taught in the program,” he explained.
Reflecting on the experience, Troy Morgan shared how meaningful it was to complete the program alongside classmates who supported one another throughout the training. “I felt accomplished, like I had achieved something big. It was my first training experience after graduating high school in May 2025, and I’m glad I had my two classmates to go with me so we could help each other and keep each other motivated…”
Completing a program like this requires commitment and perseverance. We commend these young Shareholders for stepping up to learn a skilled trade. Their accomplishments reflect personal determination and the growing strength of our next-generation workforce.
Congratulations to these young men on successfully completing the Structural Welding Program. We are proud of the effort they put into developing their skills and excited to see how they continue to build their futures from here. The sparks they’ve created through this training are just the beginning, and we look forward to seeing where their hard work takes them next.
