ARTS @ Work: Crafting Pathways to Creative and Technical Careers
We are thrilled to share a recap of the Spring session of our ARTS @ Work program, an innovative internship initiative designed to open doors for young people interested in careers in the creative and technical economies. This season, our focus is on welding, offering a career technical education (CTE) internship to the students of the Sweetwater High School Welding Academy.
Check out our program in action and hear directly from our current cohort of students and Teaching Artists.
Learning Through Hands-On Experience
Our Spring session brings together a dynamic team of professionals to guide students through practical and impactful learning experiences. We are excited to collaborate with our welding Teaching Artist, Nicole Deline, and woodworking Teaching Artist, Zac Keane. Under their mentorship, students will delve into design thinking, digital fabrication, woodworking, and welding — engaging in hands-on, community-based projects that foster both technical skills and creative expression.
“Its really opening their eyes to see that they can take these skills and use them in different ways.”
Nicole Deline, ARTS @ Work Teaching Artist
Why Welding?
Welding is a highly valuable skill that can open doors to dynamic careers in industries such as shipping and aerospace. Our program not only teaches industry standards and practices for electrical welding but also includes gas welding techniques, providing opportunities for students to gain a deeper understanding of the process from start to finish. Our Teaching Artists Nicole believes that by learning gas welding, students are able to see the possibilities of the medium more closely.
Students interested in pursuing welding further can take advantage of the tuition-free welding certificate programs offered by the San Diego College of Continuing Education (SDCCE) at the South County Educational Cultural Complex. These programs are conveniently located just minutes from the ARTS Center and provide excellent opportunities for well-paying jobs. According to the California Employment Development Department, welders in San Diego County earn an average of $73,531 annually, with 42,600 job openings projected each year over the next decade.
Practical Experience and Opening Possibilities
In addition to welding, our program incorporates woodworking, offering students a broader skill set and exposes them to even more career opportunities. As Zac notes, "We all see it in the built world around us, metal, steel, and wood go together a lot." By teaching these students more than one kind of technical skill it encourages them to think creatively and apply their skills in new and innovative ways. The program's holistic approach ensures that students gain practical experience while also developing a broader understanding of the creative and technical applications of their work.
“I feel like I wouldn’t be scared to get near a saw and cut wood or build things with wood, or make it a career.”
-Tiffany, ARTS @ Work Intern
One of our students from this spring session, Tiffany, shared their newfound confidence, saying, "Learning woodworking added to my life. I feel like I wouldn’t be scared to get near a saw and cut wood or build things with wood, or make it a career."
Equipping youth with the necessary tools and resources to become successful community builders is paramount to our mission and vision. When youth see themselves in the projects they create within their community, they earn a sense of pride and agency in their own lives and contribute to the wellbeing of their community.
National City is a vibrant hub of industrial businesses and initiatives, and we believe it’s essential to support the youth in our region by equipping them with the skills and experiences needed to thrive and contribute to the growth of successful industries within our South County community. That’s where ARTS @ Work comes in— designed to provide paid internships that offer real-world work experience and opportunities right where students live, work, and play.
