In our latest blog, we stop for a quick chat with Welding Program Instructor and Coordinator Eoin Doherty, who gives us a sneak peek at what life is like inside the classroom and on the job.
What is your favorite part of the Welding Program at Peninsula College?
My favorite part of the welding program is fabrication day, where we make various projects for the community.
What led you to become an instructor?
When I had my own business back in Ireland I was approached by the college that I graduated from and they asked me to continue the training of their apprentices while employment was sorted out for them. It was then that I really liked teaching and passing on all that I learned from being out in the trades and what was taught to me in school.
How would you describe your teaching style within this program?
I am personally very hands on with my students and am always available for them in the welding lab if they need it. Skilled trades like welding is all hands on.
What makes your program stand out?
What makes our program really stand out is that we have a wide variety of instructors here with vast experience from different backgrounds. Plus we have all the latest technology in welding equipment. We are always looking to upgrade so we never sit still with equipment.
What type of resources do you offer students in this program to support them in being successful?
We are also an I-Best supported program so we have the added benefit of having another instructor who teaches industry Math and English. We can also do remote online teaching now via Canvas so students have the luxury of doing work from home. We also have vast amounts of information on Canvas where the students have access to everything we do online too.
What type of Career Options do students have after graduating from this program?
When the students leave our program we have lots of contacts in the trades from the unions in Seattle to the shipyards in Bremerton, plus local contacts here in the community. Last year for example we had 100% job placement success with some students making anywhere from $1500-$3400 per week depending on where they are employed.
