William Livas just moved back to Buffalo from Florida. He wanted to find a new career path that allowed him to work nights and take care of his son. He found that opportunity at Craft Technical Institute in North Buffalo learning how to weld.
"There's a lack of welders. There's a huge need," said Livas.
The American Welding Society expects there will be a shortage of nearly 500,000 skilled welding professionals by 2022. That's one of the many reasons Frank Daniel started the Craft Technical Institute, because technical jobs are in high demand.
"It's a program that I'm very proud of that's six months to work," Daniel said.
"A lot of other schools are two years. For some and me, I didn't want to wait that long," Livas said.
The tuition is $7,800 for a half of a year of hands-on teaching from welding instructor Wayne Guest.
"The only way they're going to become better welders is if they're in the booth practicing welding," Guest said.
"We try to remove all impediments to working so we give them their needed equipment to go to work from day one," said Daniel.
Students graduate from Craft Technical Institute with all the tools they need to start their new job upon graduation or even before.
All of the students in the welding class have received job offers. Majority of the men are already working.
"I feel like a proud father when they get a job. I puff my chest out and strut around like a rooster," Guest said.
Daniel said the pay for welders starts at $18/hour with benefits, but the opportunities are much higher.
If you're interested in checking out Craft Technical Institute, head to the school at 243 Manhattan Avenue in Buffalo or call (716) 464-3442.
