News

Nine students from Arcadia participated in a tour of Nelson Global for their Welding II class taught in Blair-Taylor by Mr. Drew Anderson. This tour offered an in-depth look at the welding and manufacturing industry and helped them connect their classroom learning to real-world career opportunities. 

Jared Garcia, a student from the class, says the thing that stood out the most was “how well the facility was organized and in order, making it easy for them to move things out and get work done.” This organization demonstrated the importance of efficiency in a professional setting. Jared said the tour “definitely” helped them better understand what working in welding is like.  “It showed me what the work environment is really like and how important safety and teamwork are,” says Jared. Another realization was the wide range of career paths available. Jared says that there isn’t just “welding but also … engineering, inspection, and machine operation.”

The students were able to talk to multiple people in different roles. This included talking to an HR representative who emphasized on the importance of being on time, being prepared, and being open to learning new skills. They also touched base on the application process and the benefits of working at Nelson Global.  Jared said, “I really liked it. It was cool to see how things work in the real world, not just in class. It gave me a better idea of what kind of job I might want in the future.”

Principal Wyatt Anderson also had the opportunity to tag along with the Welding II students on this tour. He emphasized the broader educational goals of the visit. He says that this visit helped students see that “some of the skills we learn in school are transferable skills into the career world.” 

Mr. Anderson noted that seeing the scope and significance of the business made a strong impression. One standout moment was observing the production process of silencers and mufflers used by major companies like Google and Facebook which puts into perspective just how big Nelson Global really is. Mr. Anderson says that this tour gave him “confidence in how they are preparing the kids for the future.”

During the tour, students were able to follow the steel’s journey—from arrival to being welded, painted, and finished—giving them a realistic look at what it's like to work on the floor. HR staff spoke about soft skills like teamwork and punctuality. They also highlighted the importance of safety and wellness. Students were also given background on career pathways within the company and wore protective gear to simulate real working conditions. Mr. Anderson believes these types of experiences are essential to helping students prepare for their futures. “They see what it looks like to work in that job. It gives them confidence and gets them practice.” Mr. Anderson said what stood out to him the most was the "opportunity for the students.” Mr. Drew Anderson, the teacher for the Welding II class, took back a copy of the test people would have to take to become certified for welding with the intent to better prepare students for requirements they may face in the future. 

Overall, the visit to Nelson Global was a huge success for the students and faculty that tagged along. It not only helped students get an in-sight of what their future might hold, but also strengthened the connections between the classroom and the real-world.