This summer at the Industrial Arts Institute, the shop was alive with the glow of molten metal, the crackle of arcs, and the steady hum of grinders as we welcomed students into our Summer High School Welding & Fabrication Academy. For many of these young welders, this wasn’t their first time at IAI — we’ve had the privilege of watching them grow over the years, starting with 2- and 3-day summer welding camps for beginners in middle school, progressing through the high school advanced summer welding camps, and now stepping into the 6-week High School Welding & Fabrication – Earn While you Learn – Academy.
Watching a student go from striking their first arc in a short camp to confidently laying down clean beads in a full academy is an incredible journey. It’s not just about skill — it’s about building confidence, discipline, and a true passion for a career in the skilled trades.
Earning While Learning
The Summer Welding & Fabrication High School Work-Based Learning Academy is made possible through partnerships with the Cheboygan–Otsego–Presque Isle Educational Service District (COP ESD) and our local industry partners. Over six weeks, students gain advanced technical training while also participating in:
- Safety workshops
- Apprenticeship and career pathway seminars
- Financial literacy sessions
- Business immersion trips
- Employability skill development
And true to the earn-while-you-learn philosophy, students are paid a pre-apprenticeship stipend for their time thanks to a MiWorks Northeast grant—reinforcing the value of skilled work. The academy operates like a real-world jobsite, where students learn to master attendance, productivity, equipment care, and industry standards. They also get an early start on understanding and practicing the American Welding Society (AWS) welder credentialing process, which most welders don’t see until they’re in the field, earning AWS welder qualification test records. This involves learning to follow exact industry criteria, known as Welder Procedure Specifications (WPS), and duplicating them with precision. Additionally, welds are visually and destructively tested by IAI Certified Welding Inspectors/Instructors to ensure quality. Understanding this process gives them a head start in securing credentials and sets them apart as they enter the trades.
Building a Pathway Forward
IAI’s summer programming is more than just seasonal experiences — they create a pathway of progression from beginner’s camp to the welding and fabrication academy. Students who show dedication and a clear readiness for advanced training may qualify for scholarships into IAI’s 19-week Comprehensive Welding & Fabrication Program, taking their abilities from advanced high school level to industry-ready professional.
2025 Summer Academy Scholarship Recipients
Ben Ormsbee
Cole Gheldof
Easton Wood
Looking Ahead
We’re proud of what the academy students accomplished this summer — developing skills, confidence, and a network that will serve them well as they continue their education in the skilled trades. By combining hands-on experience, professional development, IAI continues to spark futures one weld at a time.