Colton Brown, a 2023 Kindred (ND) High School graduate, has always loved welding. From helping his dad with hobby welding on race cars to working as a picker in a welding shop and taking a high school class, he carried an excitement and drive to learn more and become better.
When he brought that interest to his school counselor during his sophomore year, she immediately set out in search of opportunities.
“We started having conversations about his interests and where he saw himself in four years,” says Leslie Lemke, counselor at Kindred High School. “It was simple to him. He wanted to weld. We talked about how he could reach his goal, and we came up with a plan. I told him I would do everything I could to find him a work-based learning experience.”
From work-based learning to full-time career
Hands-on work experiences that also earn academic credit, work-based learning (WBL) allows students to gain valuable work experience while also enabling employers to highlight their company and careers. For Brown, it opened up an opportunity to work as a welder at Weisgram Metal Fab Inc. in West Fargo, ND, for nearly his entire senior year.
“It was a huge opportunity,” Brown says. “Our welding class was great, but it didn’t explore all of the details of welding, like the nuances of how to move your hands. I gained so many learning experiences from my work-based learning.”
That WBL opportunity ultimately led to a full-time job offer after high school graduation. Brown still works at Weisgram as a welder on the night shift, primarily welding parts for John Deere and Grouser Products. He’s thrilled to be doing something he loves every day.
“I realized I wanted to stick with welding as a career really early on,” Brown says. “My job now isn’t that much different than what I was already doing in my WBL.”
Personalized training and valuable career exploration
Mentored by Weisgram Quality Systems Manager, Aaron Nudell, Brown received personalized training with a custom-written curriculum during his WBL. He learned to use the machines and equipment, received safety training, and even earned his welding certification through Weisgram, which enabled him to work directly on company products – all while also earning credit for school.
“Work-based learning isn’t just going out and working at a job,” Nudell says. “I created lesson plans about what was going to be in front of him in this industry, including safety procedures, equipment, how to read welding symbols and blueprints, how to use a welding gun and gauge, steps and procedures, and more.”
Nudell immediately recognized Brown’s focus and drive.
“I could tell right away that Colton wanted to go right into the industry,” Nudell says. “Welding was what he wanted to do and what most interested him.”
Brown complemented his WBL experience with agriculture education courses at schools, where he was also exposed to welding, shop safety, equipment maintenance, and problem-solving. The combination allowed him to customize his education with his career goals in mind.
“This experience gave him the chance to see how his interests and strengths aligned with a skilled trade,” Lemke says.
Brown, Lemke, and Nudell used Golden Path Solutions’ online platform Compass to track the WBL experience, including logging an ongoing evaluation of Brown’s skills, which led to his academic credit and grade.
“Work-based learning can be very motivating. Some students really want to get out and start working and learn a skill. Work-based learning experiences give students the opportunity to make contacts in career areas, learn skills, get experience for their resume, and, in Colton’s case, get hired.”
–Leslie Lemke, counselor, Kindred (ND) High School
All of that can be further encouraged and supported through Compass, she adds.
“Compass lets students explore what they are good at, discover careers that match their interests, and let them see how their classes connect to real-world jobs,” Lemke says. “By using these tools, students build skills, make connections, and feel more confident about their next step after high school, whether they choose college, training, or jumping straight into a career.”
Setting the standard
Watching Brown discover his love of welding and make his way in the industry has inspired Lemke to prioritize work-based learning for more students.
“Colton set a standard for other students at Kindred,” Lemke says. “I now have several students who want to be part of the work-based learning program and gain hands-on experience in a trade.”
Brown encourages students to take advantage of these opportunities.
“My advice is just go out and do it,” Brown says. “Any work-based learning experience is great. You will either figure out it’s something you want to do and learn skills outside of school, or you will realize you don’t want to do it, but you’ll still have experience coming out of it. You will have that experience of how jobs work and what the work culture can be like.”
For more information about work-based learning, including how Compass can help support it at your school or company, contact us.