By Hunter Lacey
Welders, electricians, crane operators and painters are just a few of the many career paths that comprise the construction and skilled trade industry. The routes for pursuing careers are varied as well.
Two recent graduates of programs offered in metro Atlanta shared how they made education and training work for them and how the programs led to jobs in the industry.
The Welder
Who: James Atwell
The program: He graduated from the welding program at Chattahoochee Technical College and graduated in 2013.
His job: He owns Acworth-based Stage Left Engineering, which does welding and custom fabrication for audio and visual production companies such as Atlanta Audio Visual and Next Page Events.
Why he chose this field: It was a field I could get into with not a lot of experience, and once I got into welding, it really interested me, because you can create things from raw materials, and that’s when I went to Chattahoochee Tech for their welding and joining technology program.
What school required: I’m a father and I was starting my small business, Stage Left Engineering, when I entered the program. I also live an hour away from campus (he attended classes in Jasper), so there were a lot of late nights spent on my computer doing my classes.
His advice: Be willing to be flexible with your schedule, because some classes are only offered at certain times. You have to be dedicated to the end goal.
The Crane Operator
Who: Danon Carter
The program: He participated in a Heavy Equipment Operators apprenticeship program offered by the IUOE Local 926 and graduated in November 2012.
His job: Works for Heaton Erecting in Forest Park.
Why he chose the program: I did a couple years at Eastern Michigan University, but I ended up leaving Michigan and my sister talked me into coming to Georgia. College was too expensive, I didn’t want to end up with a big bill, so I went into the apprenticeship program through the International Union of Operating Engineers.
What he does: I do crane rentals. I get sent out to jobs, so I may do three to four different jobs daily. It can be stressful. The smallest mistake can be very costly, but if you’re patient and dot your T’s and cross your I’s, everything usually goes smoothly.
How much he can earn: The least you’re going to make is $80,000 a year, and it can go up from there. The bigger the crane, the bigger the money.
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