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Still Building America—Jump into your trade with both feet

Jonathan Lewis welding chill plates.

Jonathan Lewis wants you to jump in with both feet. What began as his quest to satisfy curiosity morphed into a passion, then a job, then a career—from "I wonder what that looks like behind the welding hood?" to owning a welding business and managing custom equipment fabrication for Brasfond USA’s geotechnical engineering work. Don’t ask how the water feels; cannonball into the deep end.

Looking for a profession to call his own, Jonathan found a local weld shop hiring for general labor and snatched up the position. Making deliveries and painting were the foot in the door as he played his cards right and quickly slid into the fabrication side of things. Burning rod was all he had hoped it would be.

“Once I got a grasp on it, I was hooked and climbed the ranks quickly.”

As a new welder, he’d try to pick his co-workers’ brains, but too often the theory of welding was over their heads. Jonathan took to Internet forums and social media to bridge the gap between the how and the why. Joining in the trade discussions on Instagram and Facebook, and not fear to ask any question, can be part of a terrific learning experience, especially when combined with hands-on training and real-world mentors.

He also spent some time at the Wayne County Schools Career Center, where he met instructor Scott Thayer.

“I have to give credit to Scott for being one of my mentors, helping me grow and gain industry exposure. Scott was my instructor for my 40-hour SMAW course and he pushed me like no other has, for which I am thankful. Now I have 10 certifications/qualifications to AWS D1.1 and ASME IV.”

Superior Welding & Fabrication is Jonathan’s company. It does toolroom welding and prototyping and even small production runs. It was his work here that landed him a full-time gig. He was contracted to build hydraulic power units for a new system that Brasfond USA was developing. They were impressed and hired him on. He’s the fabrication specialist and safety director for the department that keeps their construction divisions well-equipped. What’s really cool is that his employer recognizes his success as a small-business owner and supports him in his efforts there as well.

An employer that offers support and training is nice, but you have to take advantage of it. I’ve seen so many people let the latter fly by their heads without a second look. These unique learning opportunities and meeting other industry professionals are two of Jonathan’s favorite job perks.

As for what’s to come: “My next step is to obtain my certified welding inspector/certified welding educator (CWI/CWE) certificates. I would like to move into inspection and teaching others.”

Even if you’re on the periphery of what you’d like to be your career focus, jump in with both feet.

Jonathan Lewis welding inserter frame.

“Learn all you can about whichever field you get into, and if that field is not where you want to spend your future, learn all you can and move on to the next field.”

Splendid advice for becoming a well-rounded tradesman.

Follow Superior Welding on Instagram.

All images courtesy of Jonathan Lewis.

About the Author
Brown Dog Welding

Josh Welton

Owner, Brown Dog Welding

(586) 258-8255