“The benefits of being a welder, as I tell my students, is that there will always be something that needs welding. And if nothing is broken, someone will always want a barbecue pit,” LC welding instructor and recently certified welding inspector Julio Talamantes said.
With years of experience, Talamantes chose to expand his knowledge and earned a prestigious certification from the American Welding Society (AWS). The Laredo College Board of Trustees praised Talamantes’ dedication to the craft, his profession and his students. They recognized him for his commitment to enhancing his already extensive understanding of welding.
According to the AWS, the Certified Welding Inspector (CWI) credential is a mark of distinction in the field, demonstrating a thorough mastery of welding processes and standards. Now certified, Laredo College’s welding students can be confident that their training comes from a professor who upholds the highest quality standards in the nation and is passionate about teaching the next generation of welders.
From its beginnings in the Age of Copper to the Age of Iron, maintaining and repairing metal has always been a rewarding career choice for those interested in the trade. Talamantes said it takes a great deal of time and practice in the welding booth, but it is well worth the effort.
As for the certification, only welders with at least five years of experience can apply to the AWS. Those approved must take a rigorous three-part exam that covers welding fundamentals, welding sections and the welding codebook.
“Even though I’ve been in the welding industry professionally since 2011, it was still a challenge,” Talamantes said. “I studied for exactly one month and attended a two-week seminar to help prepare for the exam.”
This level of commitment is not uncommon at LC, where faculty continually strive to improve in order to better serve students. For this, we are grateful for their dedication and will continue to support their efforts to strengthen themselves.
