For Immediate Release
Contact: Daniel Wackershauser, Marketing and PR Specialist
Phone: 608.822.2303
Mail: 1800 Bronson Blvd., Fennimore, WI 53809
Date of Release: February 1, 2022
Sielaff employees utilizing Southwest Tech welding training
Fennimore -
A Sielaff Corporation employee practices her welding skills at Southwest Tech on Jan. 31.
Given an opportunity for career advancement, Sielaff Corporation employees are taking advantage of welding training at Southwest Wisconsin Technical College in Fennimore, Wisconsin. The six-week training program, held each Monday on campus, began Jan. 24. Approximately 10 employees from the company’s Mineral Point, Wisconsin facility are participating, half of those are primarily Spanish-speaking. Sielaff is providing a Spanish-speaking welder to assist with the training.
Ed Anderson (L), Southwest Tech welding instructor, speaks with Oscar Martinez Herrera, a handler with Sielaff Corporation during training on Jan. 31. Martinez Herrera serves as the Spanish-language interpreter during the training.
“This came about to see if there was a way to train our current talent in welding as we have a big gap in recruiting experienced welders in south central Wisconsin,” said Jesi McLellan, director of human resources for Sielaff Corporation. “The hopeful outcome is that we can take current employees and train them into filling our vacant skilled welding positions.”
Sielaff Corporation partnered with the Southwest Tech Business and Industry Services Department to organize the training. “We chose SWTC because of their reputation for quality programs and willingness to partner with local businesses,” said McLellan.
Ed Anderson, Southwest Tech welding instructor, is leading the sessions. “These students are great,” he said. “Their attendance is fantastic. They are in the booth and welding the entire time. They are trying to better their lives. It’s working out great.”
“I like it because that’s one thing I have been wanting to do for a long time – learn how to weld,” said Santos Alvarado, shipment specialist at Sielaff, who is attending the training. Alvarado plans to be a welder at Sielaff following the training.
Anderson noted the skills these employees are learning are a good base and will serve them well when they return to Sielaff. “This is a basis to help them to weld their product at their company,” he said.
If they choose, these employees can return to Southwest Tech to advance their skills at any time. “There is no end to how much more they can learn after they are done with this training,” said Anderson. “All of our classes are set up in one-credit courses so students can pick and choose what they need.”
A Sielaff Corporation employee gets some work done during Monday’s training.
Gabe James, a welder supervisor at Sielaff, is on campus, assisting with the training. He noted that employees who are taking advantage of the training are coming from a variety of departments. “This will help them advance in their careers and make more money and have added responsibilities,” he said. “The more you know, they better off you are.”
“They are enjoying it and they are catching on fairly well,” said James. “This is a good way to start. It takes a lot of practice and time.”
• To learn more about potential training opportunities, visit swtc.edu/bis.
• More information about Southwest Tech’s welding program can be found at swtc.edu/welding.
| Southwest Wisconsin Technical College is one of 16 institutions that comprise the Wisconsin Technical College System. Southwest Tech offers more than 60 programs in a wide variety of disciplines. Courses are offered on campus, online and in a blended format. The college provides apprenticeship, certificate, technical diploma, and associate degree programs that respond to district workforce needs and prepare student for family-sustaining jobs and career advancement. |