Ian Mehlenbacher is a Red Seal Welder for the Niagara Parks Commission, and his job is anything but ordinary.

If you're a welder who wants to see what it looks like to work on iconic infrastructure, custom fabrication, and one-of-a-kind projects every single day, this episode shows you exactly what that career can look like.

In this episode, you'll learn:

• What the Red Seal certification actually is and how it differs from the American apprenticeship system, including why it's competency-based rather than hour-based.

• How Ian apprenticed at Niagara Parks and how going to school for welding technology allowed him to skip ahead in his apprenticeship and get his foot in the door.

• The wide variety of work Ian does at the park, from fabricating the iconic railings at the Falls and converting them to stainless steel, to building custom truck beds, repairing cast iron park benches, and supporting underwater welders.

• How Ian and his mentor Ed tackled the Aero Car canopy conversion, replacing old mild steel infrastructure with stainless steel with no blueprints, just problem-solving and a rented roller.

• Why working with aluminum, stainless, and mild steel on a regular basis sets Ian apart from welders who only get to touch those materials once in a while.

• How the CWB Hamilton Association is breaking down barriers to get young people into trades, donating to 22 schools this past year and bringing parents and students in for hands-on welding seminars.

Ian Mehlenbacher is a Red Seal Welder with the Niagara Parks Commission, where he maintains and fabricates infrastructure across 56 kilometers of parkland surrounding Niagara Falls. He is also the chair of the CWB Association Hamilton Chapter, where he works to connect students, parents, and employers to grow the next generation of skilled tradespeople. His perspective is especially valuable for welders curious about the Red Seal path, non-production welding careers, or getting involved in their local welding community.

Connect with Ian Mehlenbacher / CWB Hamilton:

https://www.cwbgroup.org/advocacy/membership/chapters/hamilton-chapter

Download the WELD App:

iOS: App Store https://goweld.link/AppleApp

Android: Google Play https://goweld.link/Android

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