Jesse Oosterhouse is a welding instructor at the Muskegon Correctional Facility in Michigan, where he teaches incarcerated men skills that can lead to stable careers after release.

In this episode, Jesse shares how his class of 30 incarcerated students designed and built Arc of Redemption, a welded sculpture entered into the Grand Rapids-based ArtPrize. The project highlights how welding education, American Welding Society certifications, and creative work can open doors to opportunity and second chances.

Find more industry-related conversations at the FMA Podcast Network. Email us at podcast@fmamfg.org with any comments, questions, or suggestions.

Becca Robertson, a welding instructor at St. Clair TEC in Michigan, shares her journey into teaching. She started welding at age 2 from her father, a welder himself, and has now passed on that passion to her own daughter who also began welding at age 2.

Becca's program at St. Clair TEC is known for producing talented high school welders, with her students excelling in state and national welding competitions like SkillsUSA. She talks with Darla and Josh Welton about her belief in letting students explore welding at their own pace and discover their natural strengths, rather than sticking to a rigid curriculum. Becca also talk about how she finds great fulfillment in watching her students develop a love for welding and exceed her own expectations.

Find more industry-related conversations at the FMA Podcast Network. Email us at podcast@fmamfg.org with any comments, questions, or suggestions.

In this episode of Still Building America, father-son duo Matt and Maverick Graham join Darla and Josh Welton to talk about the importance of introducing kids to welding at a young age. Matt runs farm and fabrication business called Graham Industries in rural Ohio, taught his now 10-year-old son Maverick how to weld at a young age.

They talk about how Maverick learned to weld by helping Matt with projects around the farm, their participation in 4-H, and Maverick winning welding competitions at the Ohio State Fair. They also discuss why there should be more proper-fitting welding PPE for kids.