High demand for skilled workers in the trades has led several seniors down paths toward welding and mechanics careers. 

  Senior Pahanna Daffron plans on going to Northwest Mississippi Community College to study welding. He does also have a lot of other plans in mind, such as joining the marine corps, but mainly focusing on trade school since it’s big in the market right now.

   Daffron plans on being a traveling welder who travels between jobs sights often nationwide or internationally.

   “I plan to be a career welder, most likely a traveling welder,” Daffron said.

   He chose to do trade school because most of his family has gone down this route. His father was a welder and taught Daffron the skill.

   “I just really enjoyed it,” Daffron said. “I like getting to make things, work with my hands and be outside.”

   The main reason why he wants to do this, though, is because this trade has been currently very high in demand lately.   

   “My family has a history of working in trades, and trades are a very high demand field currently,” Daffron said.

   He has prepared for this upcoming school by working with his dad.

   “I have done independent training under a former career welder,” Daffron said.

   He does plan on attending college for more standard classes as well.

    “I plan on attending a community college that has more standard classes as well, I plan on attempting to get a business degree as well,” Daffron said.

Senior Urijah Phillips plans on being a pipeline welder, so he is going to Iron Eagle Welding Academy

   Pipeline welders work on big pipes that transport mainly oil, gas, and water.

   “I have prepared by joining a trade school after high school that is the best in the state,” Phillips said.

  The reason why he picked trade school is because it’s a cheaper tuition that he can afford and also a shorter time than going to a university. It is also his dream job.

   “I am most excited to travel around the United States for work and seeing everything I can,” Phillips said.

 Senior Luke Henderson is also planning to study welding at Iron Eagle in Stockton. 

   “I’ve always done it on the farm, it makes good money and I think it is pretty easy,” he said.

   After working as a welder, he hopes to return to operate his family farm in Edwards. 

Senior Brayden Schibi will attend State Tech in Linn to become a diesel mechanic. 

   After touring State Tech, he was impressed by the facilities and high job placement rate.

   “My grandpa and I have worked on his pulling tractor together and I thought it was fun,” Schibi said.

   He is starting to work for Crown Power in Lamonte as an intern before starting his program at State Tech – which is a two-year program.

 Senior Adrian Cortez is going to be a mechanic after graduating and will train through ASE Auto Technician school. He plans to become a master technician. 

   He currently works at Sterling Auto and must work as a basic technician before starting the technician program.

 Cortez said classroom education was simply not for him.

  “I’m good at working with my hands,” he said.