On Tuesday, January 30, the Western Welding Academy Blue Collar Tour made a stop at Moriarty High School for the second year in a row.
The national touring trade expo and academy aims to connect with younger people interested in the trade career field of welding.
“As the only comprehensive high school in the East Mountains, we want our students to be exposed to opportunities that will help them make decisions on their College or Career pathways,” said Moriarty Edgewood School District Superintendent Todd Bibiano.
He said the district has many students enrolled in the Career and Technical Education (CTE) classes offered at high schools in the district. The district partners with Central New Mexico College to offer dual credit courses for students in the trade field.
“By partnering with local and national organizations, Moriarty High School and the Moriarty-Edgewood School District can support and enhance our CTE instruction, student learning and engagement. We’re really happy that we can also provide this opportunity for students from the Estancia, Mountainair, EVCA, East Mountain High School and Los Lunas School Districts to participate with our MHS students,” Bibiano said.
Organizers of the event say they don’t just want to get students interested in welding, but in all trades like plumbing, mechanics and others.
According to salary.com, the average welder salary in New Mexico is over $42,000 per year.