Blake Meyer, a senior at Marshall County High School, is in his fourth year of welding courses at the Marshall County Technical Center and believes it will prepare him to join the Plumbers and Steamfitters Regional Union. .
Meyer was named this week’s Western Kentucky Technical Center Associated General Contractor Student of the Week.
Entering high school, Meyer was familiar with trades as his father had trained him in many trade skills.
“I’ve watched my dad work since I was a kid. He did everything from carpentry to electrician to machinist to welding to repair work in the shop,” he explained.
Meyer said watching his father’s work made him want to learn more about technical skills.
“Growing up, every kid looks up to their father, so they look at that and think, ‘Oh, I want to do that,'” he said. “That’s pretty much what happened to me there.”
Meyer, who joined the technical center as a freshman, had time to figure out which path he enjoyed the most through a process of elimination.
“I didn’t really like carpentry. I mean, I thought it was okay…and electrically, I don’t think I was ever very good with wires,” he explained. “So I kind of found welding. To be honest, I like playing with fire.”
Once Meyer discovered his passion for welding, he focused on honing his skills. He has completed a 10-hour course in Occupational Safety and Health Management, American Welding Society D1.1 Certification, and American Society of Mechanical Engineers Section IX Plate Certification.
“It was fun just getting certified and getting as much as I could and teaching classes,” Meyer said.
In addition to attending the Marshall County Technical Center, Meyer is employed by Martco and hopes to complete an apprenticeship program after high school.
“I plan to do an apprenticeship with them and join the local pipefitters union,” he said.
Meyer’s goal is to join the Plumbers and Steamfitters Regional Union, where he will continue his welding education and pursue a career in the field.
“If I can join a union, I can go anywhere in the United States, so I would like to visit different workplaces,” he said.
Meyer believes that his education at the technical center has given him more opportunities in the welding field.
“You have teachers and everyone around you and everyone is so nice, so they help you,” he said. “Freeman gave me the job at Murtko, so you can expand your horizons even further. And we have good teachers and good people working with you. You can go anywhere. .”
Meyer said he is also looking forward to starting a welding job for job security.
“The fact that there’s always something there to help you when you need a job, that’s the big thing,” he said.
