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Want to work at Sandia? Become a welder

BY KIM VALLEZ QUINTANA

THURSDAY, MAY 2, 2024

High schoolers get a look at the trades within Sandia

Federico Rael isn’t what some would consider a “typical” Sandia job candidate. He isn’t a math, science or engineering wiz, but he is a great welder.

“One of the reasons I love welding is because it’s hands on,” said Rael, a sophomore at Sue V. Cleveland High School. “It’s more my style of learning, and it’s something I’m passionate about.”

Rael was one of 10 students from Rio Rancho Public Schools who recently visited Sandia as part of a job shadowing event organized by the Community Involvement team.

“Career exploration opportunities help students chart their futures,” Community Involvement Manager Amy Tapia said. “Sandia’s mission is achieved by people working in a variety of professions, including technologists and trade positions. This opportunity was a great way to connect students with potential career paths at Sandia.”

The students who attended are part of a three-year dual credit program at Central New Mexico Community College as part of the Rio Rancho schools’ Career Technical Education program. The students aim to graduate from high school with a certificate or associate degree in welding from CNM.

Welding supports Sandia’s mission

Welding plays a crucial role in supporting Sandia’s mission.

“At Sandia there are so many different welding processes and so many skill levels you have to meet to accomplish the things we do,” said technologist James Scott, who guided the students during the tour.

James showed them what a day on the job looks like, for him.

“We perform TIG, MIG, furnace braze/torch braze and orbital welding. We also tried to teach them some metallurgy, so they can understand what happens to the base metal and the heat affected zone during and after welding,” James said.

James and his team also showed the students the many ways welding is incorporated throughout Sandia, from vacuum chambers used in experiments to the Ion Beam Lab, the Z Pulsed Power Facility and the solar tower.

“This is not just about sitting at a bench and welding. You have to be multifaceted and proficient in multiple processes to succeed,” James said.

Trades vs. college

While college has traditionally been emphasized as the next step for high school graduates, there has been a recent shift toward promoting trades. The Career Technical Education program, in its first year in Rio Rancho Schools, is one way to do that.

“The demand for skilled trades workers in New Mexico is growing due to the aging workforce,” Rio Rancho Career and Technical Education High School Principal Kristopher D. Johnson said. “It is important to introduce students to trades because not all students are ready for a four-year university.”

Sandia aims to show these students that there’s a place for them at the Labs.

James’ journey

James is living proof of this.

James was once one of those students.

“My welding journey began when I was 17 or 18 years old,” he said. “I graduated high school knowing college wasn’t for me, so I moved to Colorado to work on a horse ranch.”

Soon after, James was tasked with building a two-story barn and bunkhouse out of metal, despite having no welding experience. “A welder took me aside and showed me how it worked. After about two weeks, I was welding faster and better than the other welders. It became a passion to get better each time I laid down a bead, and I just loved doing it.”

Five years later, James returned to New Mexico to work for one of Sandia’s suppliers. Thirteen years later, his journey has brought him to where he is today, a place he never envisioned.

“Never in a million years did I think I could work at Sandia. I always thought you had to have the college credentials,” James said. “I figured I had no chance.”

Today he shares his story, hoping these students can see their future in his past.

“I am very proud and grateful to be a Sandian,” James said. “We need skilled welders, and we will need them forever.”

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