Getting welding classes off the ground during a pandemic

Despite a slow start due to COVID-19 and other forces of nature, Brown Dog Welding owner Josh Welton finally embraced his love for teaching by creating workshops out of his Detroit shop for aspiring welders. Images provided by Josh Welton

As we evolve as humans, our way of learning evolves as well. The Information Age has opened our eyes to more hobbies and vocations than at any other time in history. We are flooded with interesting options to pursue training in about any niche imaginable.

Welding, for instance, used to be learned either by on-the-job training, vocational classes, or a parent passing down the knowledge. There weren’t a lot of hobby welders or folks who got into welding on the side. Even for full-time welders there weren’t many ways to hone or diversify their skill set.

Now it’s not a matter of finding the instruction, it’s about finding the method that you’re most comfortable with and vetting the instructor or source to make sure that they know what they’re doing.

If there is one thing that my two semesters of teaching welding at Macomb Community College affirmed, it is that I love teaching. My work schedule was chaotic. It just wasn’t going to be feasible, at least at the time, to continue as an instructor in the program, but I thoroughly enjoyed the interactions with students. Watching that spark in their soul grow like it once did for me was the best.

I’ve been asked for years to do classes, but I haven’t had the space or time to accommodate them. Now I do. So earlier this year my wife Darla and I organized a series of four-hour welding workshops. The focus for each workshop will be different, but rather than just abstract welding and running beads, we want each participant to walk away with a completed project and something to show off their new skills.

Our first group of students would be walking away with a slick welded planter. The first few workshops were set up to TIG weld steel, but the plan is to offer more in the way of processes and materials in the future. I held a test run of the workshop with Darla and our friend Jodi, just to make sure that we ironed out the details. Then it was time to open up for registration.

The initial response was overwhelming, and most workshops sold out quickly.

We did, however, get off to a rocky start. My dad unexpectedly passed away right before the first group of classes, but the participants were very gracious about rescheduling. Then, right after the next weekend’s class, the state of Michigan issued a stay-at-home order due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Despite those things, the first class was a great experience. The workshops are limited to four students per session so there’s plenty of personalized, hands-on training. Our first participants - Keith, Kyle, Ryan, and Pat - came ready with great attitudes and really kicked ass. It was cool to see a group of strangers come together with a common goal to improve their TIG game. The feedback was great, so I think we’re on to something.

When friends found out what we were offering, they wanted to help too. Baker’s Gas helped me get all the argon that we needed, and Miller Welders stepped up to supply me with an ArcStation, workbooks, and PPE for the students. How cool is that?

Once Michigan’s lockdown is lifted, we plan to open the shop and offer more classes. And to those who signed up before the world went sideways, thank you for your patience! We are looking forward to getting back at it soon. Check out the Brown Dog Welding website for updates and more info.

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