Wednesday, August 28, 2024
Neillsville native lands welding education, job before high school ends
Alex Bryan, 18, is exactly what businesses in his hometown of Neillsville need – a hard-working, skilled welder. Whether he stays in the community after he graduates from Chippewa Valley Technical College is yet to be seen.
Alex Bryan was born to be a welder.
Bryan’s father and grandfather have a combined 80 years of experience in the trade. Years ago, Bryan’s father was building a roll cage for a truck, and he turned the project over to Bryan, who was 9.
“He just let me go at it,” Bryan said.
Now, at the age of 18, Bryan has welding academy courses under his belt from Chippewa Valley Technical College and is enrolled in the welding program there as well.
The Neillsville native is exactly the kind of young talent that businesses in rural communities like his hometown are looking to hold onto or recruit. Already, Bryan has been working for OEM Fabricators, a custom metal fabrication company specializing in building components for original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), based in Neillsville.
Tea Moscinski, director of Neillsville Area Chamber of Commerce, said having CVTC in the community is important to the community’s growth."
“CVTC has been a valuable resource for the Chamber,” she said. “Connecting with them can provide education to not only recent high school graduates, the local individual but also to local businesses.”
Moscinski said that recently smaller businesses in the area showed interest in a social media class that was offered at CVTC at Neillsville.
“This provides an opportunity for our community to grow,” she said.
The College, coupled with businesses in the community, form the right mix that helps Neillsville thrive, she said.
Although Bryan could probably write his ticket now without even having graduated from college yet, he said he’s keeping all of his options open.
“I want to keep growing and learning the trade of welding and getting to know all that goes into it even before it gets to the welding part,” he said. “I want to watch something go from a pile of metal on a table to become an actual part that goes into a bigger system. It’s like a big Lego puzzle.
“I like the idea of having a position where I know I’m helping build something that will further the business and the community.”
