SkillsUSA, Channellock collaborate to offer training videos to tradespeople

As the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted business output and marketing plans, manufacturers reacted. Hand tool manufacturing company Channellock has actively supported shop classes and vocational training in schools across the country, and with so many schools closing and students staying home, it looked for more ways to keep kids sharp and engaged.

Channellock partnered up with SkillsUSA to help provide teachers and students with free access to SkillsUSA’s Career Essentials curricula. Career Essentials provides online educational resources to help students develop leadership, communication, teamwork, and many more career-ready skills. Through its partnership with SkillsUSA, Channellock is able to offer 1,416 free enrollment keys to teachers who inquire on behalf of their students through Channellock and SkillsUSA. The program is open to current and future trades students at middle and high schools across the U.S.

The company also moved quickly and partnered with master tradespeople in various fields to put together a video series featuring simple projects full of tips and tricks.

Ryan DeArment, vice president of sales and marketing for Channellock, said, “We want to help students stay on track with their education, and the goal of our Trading Knowledge video series is to contribute to furthering their learning as they take classes online. We want students to know that Channellock has their back.”

The first three videos of the Trading Knowledge series feature yours truly. I jumped at the opportunity to share some of my favorite tools and tips with students in the welding community.

My first video highlighted Channellocks’ ubiquitous 360 Welder’s Pliers, a multipurpose tool nearly all welders carry with them. Keeping your MIG gun clean is critical to laying down strong welds, and the pliers, often called “welpers,” provide everything necessary to do so. I go through the process of how to use them to keep everything in tiptop condition.

My second (featured at the top) and featured below) videos are simple projects anyone can do at home if they have pliers and a welder. One is a heart-shaped pendant, and the other a nuts and bolts dog.

I’m also gearing up to do at least one more video on how to create an American flag keychain.

Aside from my welding videos, HVAC specialist Rocky Hyatt and master plumber Ryan Gomiela are showing future tradespeople the tools to rely on and dropping knowledge on how to use them.

With much of the country on lockdown due to the global pandemic, one thing has become clear to every American: Skilled tradespeople are essential to keep our country moving forward. Many schools have suspended or canceled classes or moved to online training, and it’s important that shop class and vocational students stay ahead of the curve. We can’t stop spreading the blue-collar gospel just because traditional educational doors are closed. Whether you’re able to go out to the garage and fabricate or wrench or you’re biding time until you can get back to school or work, hopefully these projects can help you stay sharp.

 SkillsUSA and Channellock join a growing number of manufacturers in a collaborative effort to help train tradespeople with a Trading Knowledge video series. Detroit-based metal fabricator Josh Welton is among those tradespeople offering tips and tricks. Images provided by Josh Welton

If you’re a beginning tradesperson and want to suggest a topic, shoot me a message at josh@browndogwelding.com. And while the videos target students, they also include methods and ideas that could light a bulb in anyone!

The videos are posted on all of Channellock’s social media pages and YouTube.com, along with opportunities to win some of their American-made tools! Be sure to check them out.

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