“If you’re good at video games, you might be good at welding.” This was the sentiment of one of the students at the MITech Plus Construction and Technology Camp at Michigan’s Delta College. The camp’s attendees are finding out not only that they might like welding, but that the skills that they use in this new field are surprisingly similar to the ones that they use in their day-to-day lives.
Bay area youths learn trade skills at Delta College camp
by Andrew Dodson | The Bay City Times
Thursday July 23, 2009, 8:27 AMBrian Siler of Midland was a drummer in high school and said it required quick hand and eye coordination, rhythm and focus.
After attending MITech Plus Construction and Technology Camp at Delta College in 2007, the 2008 Midland High School graduate knew he could put those skills he acquired in band toward a future career in welding “I originally wanted to be in the carpentry section of the camp,” said Siler, 19, “but that program had so many kids in it that they put me in the welding program.”
He said once he got started he couldn’t stop.
“Welding requires this patience, precision and rhythm,” he said. “If you’re good at video games, you might be good at welding.”
In its third year, the MITech Plus Construction and Technology Camp, which ends today, had 65 students, from sixth to 12th grade, attend this week.
Now a student in Delta College’s Welding Engineering Technology program, Siler is back at the camp that inspired his passion for welding working as a team leader.
“Welding is a job high in demand right now, so it’s good to introduce these kids to it,” said Siler.
