A trade school has an suggestion on how high school students can build good careers — learn to weld.
That message came to the Inland Empire on Tuesday, Feb. 25, with the Western Welding Academy Blue Collar Tour.
Rancho Verde High School senior Valarie Romero, center, 18, is assisted by the Western Welding Academy’s Devin Lancaster, left, as she tries her hand at welding during the 2025 Blue Collar Tour stop in Moreno Valley on Tuesday, Feb. 25, 2025. Western Welding Academy’s Quacy Wilson, right, watches. The Wyoming-based school is touring the country to introduce students to potential welding careers. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
Rancho Verde High School junior Roman Gomez, right, 17, receives instructions from the Western Welding Academy’s Stone Ebner, left, before a welding exercise during the 2025 Blue Collar Tour stop in Moreno Valley on Tuesday, Feb. 25, 2025. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
The Western Welding Academy’s Quacy Wilson speaks to Rancho Verde High School students Tuesday, Feb. 25, 2025, during the 2025 Blue Collar Tour stop in Moreno Valley. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
The Western Welding Academy’s Quacy Wilson, left, gives Rancho Verde High School student Alexander Gomez, center, his prize — a waterproof tool bag, during the 2025 Blue Collar Tour stop in Moreno Valley on Tuesday, Feb. 25, 2025. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
Rancho Verde High School senior Dessirae Ramirez, left, 17, speaks with the Western Welding Academy’s Devin Lancaster, right, before trying to weld at the 2025 Blue Collar Tour stop in Moreno Valley on Tuesday, Feb. 25, 2025. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
Rancho Verde High School senior Valarie Romero, center, 18, is helped by the Western Welding Academy’s Devin Lancaster, left, as she welds during the 2025 Blue Collar Tour stop in Moreno Valley on Tuesday, Feb. 25, 2025. Her friend Dessirae Ramirez, right, 17, looks on. The Wyoming-based organization is touring the country to promote future welding careers for students. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
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Rancho Verde High School senior Valarie Romero, center, 18, is assisted by the Western Welding Academy’s Devin Lancaster, left, as she tries her hand at welding during the 2025 Blue Collar Tour stop in Moreno Valley on Tuesday, Feb. 25, 2025. Western Welding Academy’s Quacy Wilson, right, watches. The Wyoming-based school is touring the country to introduce students to potential welding careers. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
The program — which blends lectures with hands-on welding exercises — stopped at Rancho Verde High School in Moreno Valley. It was among 30 schools on the national tour.
Students at the campus, which is part of the Val Verde Unified School District, listened to professionals from the Wyoming-based school, got a chance to weld and won prizes.
The goal of the academy’s traveling program is to promote trades “as a powerful and rewarding alternative to traditional college pathways,” a news release states.
“Choosing a trade is choosing a path to a strong, successful future,” adds the tour’s website, which points out that jobs such as welders, plumbers and electricians are in demand.
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