Welding
2019
From Commercial Driver to Aerospace Welder – A Welder’s Journey to Success
As Tim Lorenzini lost interest in another job, he knew something needed to change. Tim remembers, “Before I attended GateWay, I was a commercial driver for 10 years and tried many other professions, but none of them would stick. Once I was in school or actually doing the job, I would lose interest.”
As he looked at options to start a new career, becoming a professional welder was something that was always of interest to him. He immediately began to research welding programs. “I decided to go to GateWay because it was the only welding school that provided welding practice metal and AWS Certifications,” he said.
Tim started his journey at GateWay in 2018 with TIG Welding and immediately put in the work to improve his skills and refine his trade. He credits two of his instructors who played a large role in his development.
“Jess Pruitt and Al Gaiser guided me a lot,” Tim said. ”They did everything they could to help me get better. I was financially struggling during my time at GateWay, but I stuck with it and good things happened. I couldn’t have made it to where I am today without the welding program teachers Al and Jess.”
In 2019, he left GateWay after being able to earn his AWS D17.1 Aerospace Certification, setting him up to land a job working with a large aerospace company, welding military jet engine components and commercial airplane parts. Using his foundation that he started at GateWay, he has learned new industry welding standard and also how to use different tools specific for the aerospace industry. “My life since GateWay has been pretty good; I know I’m headed in the right direction,” Tim said.
When asked what advice he would give to current students in the welding program, Tim responded, “To practice, practice, practice. Weld thin materials and get efficient at cleaning and prepping those materials. Utilize every weld coupon, or station, the school has to offer.”
To learn more about the welding programs that GateWay Community College has to offer, please visit gatewaycc.edu/welding.