Stories @ TCAT

At just 19 years old, Antonio Ojeda already sees a bright future ahead.

“It means big cash and a stable life for a while,” said Ojeda. “It’s a life starter.”

Ojeda is one of nine welding students from TCAT Knoxville’s Ruth and Steve West Workforce Development Center who earned jobs with Boilermakers Local 454 in Chattanooga. The group, ranging in age ranging in age from 19 to 40, competed against 60 other welding students from across the region for the high-paying positions.

Their skills proved unmatched. They were the only students to pass the test.

“I’m grateful that I got to be there for the weld test, and I’m grateful that we all came out on top together,” said student Ty Penney. “Landing this job is a huge weight off my shoulders and I definitely couldn’t have done it without our instructor Chris [Grimes.] I felt prepared under pressure because of his teaching.”

Chris Grimes has been teaching at TCAT Knoxville for three years. He said seeing his students succeed is what fuels his passion.

“It blew my mind they all passed, I’m incredibly proud,” said Grimes. “They’re fine young men and they’ve done well. They’ve always stayed busy and it paid off.”

Ojeda still has a couple months left of school at TCAT Knoxville and will co-op with the union until graduation. Even while still learning, he credits Grimes with giving him the tools he needed to rise to the challenge.

“There was a part of the weld test that I didn’t know how to do but I still passed because I was able to reflect on what Chris has taught me to get through it,” Ojeda said.

According to the American Welding Society, 320,500 new welding professionals are projected to be needed in the U.S. by 2029. As nuclear sites boom in East Tennessee and across the country, welding continues to offer strong wages and long-term opportunity.

For student Braden Nitzche, it’s more than a paycheck, it’s a foundation for his future.

“This job is life-changing, this opportunity will definitely help me start my career with strong steps forward,” said Nitzche.

TCAT Knoxville’s Welding Technology program can be completed in just 12 months, helping students launch a Career in a Year. Learn more about enrollment here.

By: Whitney Turner