Behind The Hood: The Welding Journey

Austin Allwinger is a 2022 Kentucky Welding Institute graduate from Redmond, Oregon. He grew up farming and ranching, found welding at 14 years old, and has now spent 3 years on the road — living out of a camper, learning fast, and building a career that gives him freedom without wrecking his finances or his faith. In this episode, we get into: What it was like growing up in Central Oregon (and wa...

Ethan Holloway (KWI Class of 2022) is a union pipe welder with UA Local 614, running tough night shifts and high-stakes 100% x-ray work in Texas. In this episode, Ethan breaks down what most people don’t understand about welding life: union benefits, per diem, shot records, discipline, faith, finances, and what it takes to build a legacy—not just a paycheck. If you’re 17–25 and wondering if you ha...

In this episode of the KWI Podcast, we sit down with Dylan Lacey, a 2018 Kentucky Welding Institute graduate who traveled from Rome, New York to Kentucky chasing something bigger than a paycheck. Dylan opens up about his journey—from growing up around hard farm work, struggling with discipline and direction as a teenager, working long hours for limited pay, and ultimately making the decision to be...

In this episode of the Kentucky Welding Institute: Behind the Hood, with the Grads, as we sit down with Andreas Kariotis, a man with a remarkable journey from the Air Force to becoming a skilled welder. Born and raised in New Gloucester, Maine, Andreas shares his experiences growing up in a close-knit community, his time serving in the Air Force, and the transition to a new career in welding. Disc...

Graduate Rhiannon Howard joins us to share her journey with welding and her experience in the field. Rhiannon was the first female on the KWI 100K Wall — and now she turned her welding career into her own business, Double L Metal Works. Rhiannon talks about hitting the road after graduation, the skills she built along the way, and how those same skills now fuel her custom metalwork, from jewelry t...

Recent KWI graduate, Landon Earlywine, is on his first job in Logansport, Indiana — already grossing $3,950 a week in a local fab shop. In this episode, Bobby and Landon dive into his welding journey, what the transition from school to the field has looked like, his current setup in Indiana, and where he plans to take his career next.

We talk to Braden, a welder who made over $100K right after welding school. Learn about his journey and success in the welding industry! Watch Braden and I tackle a monster coupon. We discuss everything from welding techniques, career experiences, and challenges faced on the job, to insights on how to save and invest wisely as a young welder. Learn More: https://weld.kwi.us/podcastVisit KWI's YouT...

Shelby shares her journey from high school to six figures welding.. Watch as we tackle a monster coupon while Shelby shares her journey from high school welding to making $100K in her first year after KWI. Learn about life on night shift, stainless vs. carbon welding preferences, and valuable industry insights for new welders. Learn More: https://weld.kwi.us/podcast Visit KWI's YouTube channel and...

We are joined by Scott and Tyler from the United Association of Pipefitters. They discuss the various opportunities available for welders and how they can take control of their careers. The United Association represents plumbers, pipefitters, and welders, and offers them the flexibility to work across different states. They also talk about the massive demand for skilled workers in various industri...

Ashley discusses the common mistakes that young welders make when they are starting their careers and trying to network in the industry. He emphasizes the importance of not misrepresenting oneself or one's skills, not being arrogant, continuously learning, and being punctual. 77 Learn More: https://weld.kwi.us/podcast Visit KWI's YouTube channel and access a ton of free content about forging a suc...

Ashley sits down with KWI Graduate and instructor Austin Arnett to talk about his journey in the welding Industry. TAKE OUR VIRTUAL TOUR:  https://kwi.us/virtual-tour  TEXT OR CALL US: (606) 291-2787 To learn more about our programs, visit: kwi.us/programs STAY CONNECTED: Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/kentuckywel.. . TikTok:  https://www.tiktok.com/@kentuckyweldi.. . Facebook:  https://www...

Ashley sits down with KWI Graduate and now instructor to talk about opportunities he has had since being at KWI TAKE OUR VIRTUAL TOUR:  https://kwi.us/virtual-tour  TEXT OR CALL US: (606) 291-2787 To learn more about our programs, visit: kwi.us/programs STAY CONNECTED: Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/kentuckywel.. . TikTok:  https://www.tiktok.com/@kentuckyweldi.. . Facebook:  https://www.fa...

Ashley sits down with Monty and Jeffery who work for the Boilermakers Organization to talk about all the opportunities they offer young welders coming out of Weld School. TAKE OUR VIRTUAL TOUR: https://kwi.us/virtual-tour TEXT OR CALL US: (606) 291-2787 To learn more about our programs, visit: kwi.us/programs STAY CONNECTED: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kentuckywel.. . TikTok: https://www....

Qualifications and Certifications mean different things in the welding world and who you get them from matters even more. Today KWI's Lead Instructor Ashley Applegate shares the differences and benefits of Qualifications and Certifications Learn More:  https://weld.kwi.us/podcast Visit KWI's YouTube channel and access a ton of free content about forging a successful welding career:  https://kwi.us...

Ashley sits down with KWI Graduate Grayson Dales to talk about the unique experience he's had working with his dad. Learn More:  https://weld.kwi.us/podcast Visit KWI's YouTube channel and access a ton of free content about forging a successful welding career:  https://kwi.us/youtube TEXT OR CALL US: (606) 291-2787 FREE Welding Checklists to Kickstart Your Career:  https://weld.kwi.us/checklists S...

KWI's Lead Instructor Ashley Applegate shares what high school students with welding experience can do to be even more prepared for welding school as well as advice for future students who may have little to no experience and how they can set themselves up for success when training to become a welder. Learn More:  https://weld.kwi.us/podcast Visit KWI's YouTube channel and access a ton of free con...

John Abrams is a former KWI student who is now a successful welder in the industry today. He started welding later in life and took a non conventional route to starting in his career in this interview he shares tips and tricks that have helped him throughout his career. Learn More:  https://weld.kwi.us/podcast Visit KWI's YouTube channel and access a ton of free content about forging a successful...

Are you brand new to the welding industry? Should you take the 1st job your offered right out of welding school? Ashley Applegate has been in the welding industry for 25+ years and gives you his best advice for new welders who want to land high paying jobs in the welding industry. Learn More:  https://weld.kwi.us/podcast Visit KWI's YouTube channel and access a ton of free content about forging a...

Ashley sits down with WELD.com's Wilie Messer to discuss educating the next generation of welders all the way to new technologies welders are utilizing to get the job done. Learn More:  https://weld.kwi.us/podcast Visit KWI's YouTube channel and access a ton of free content about forging a successful welding career:  https://kwi.us/youtube TEXT OR CALL US: (606) 291-2787 FREE Welding Checklists to...

Ashley explains W.E.L.D. which encourages you to focus and work hard at welding as well as being open to learning new techniques from others with different experiences. Learn More:  https://weld.kwi.us/podcast Visit KWI's YouTube channel and access a ton of free content about forging a successful welding career:  https://kwi.us/youtube TEXT OR CALL US: (606) 291-2787 FREE Welding Checklists to Kic...

Ashley sits down with Stephanie Hoffman to discuss all things American Welding Society and much more. Learn More:  https://weld.kwi.us/podcast Visit KWI's YouTube channel and access a ton of free content about forging a successful welding career:  https://kwi.us/youtube TEXT OR CALL US: (606) 291-2787 FREE Welding Checklists to Kickstart Your Career:  https://weld.kwi.us/checklists STAY CONNECTED:...

Colton and Ashley discuss who can be successful in the industry, a natural born welder who has a lot of talent versus someone who has a strong work ethic but no prior welding experience. The answer may shock you! Learn More:  https://weld.kwi.us/podcast Visit KWI's YouTube channel and access a ton of free content about forging a successful welding career:  https://kwi.us/youtube TEXT OR CALL US: (...

As a welder, there are a ton of opportunities to sink your hard earned money into. Today KWI's Lead Instructor Ashley Applegate details a few tips that you can make with your money to set yourself up for the long haul. Learn More:  https://weld.kwi.us/podcast Visit KWI's YouTube channel and access a ton of free content about forging a successful welding career:  https://kwi.us/youtube TEXT OR CALL...

Are you fresh out of welding school? Here are a couple of tips for what you should look for when applying for your first job. Learn More:  https://weld.kwi.us/podcast Visit KWI's YouTube channel and access a ton of free content about forging a successful welding career:  https://kwi.us/youtube TEXT OR CALL US: (606) 291-2787 FREE Welding Checklists to Kickstart Your Career:  https://weld.kwi.us/ch...

Are you competing on April 15th at our Senior Welding Competition? Here are a few things you should know and expect when you show up! Learn More:  https://weld.kwi.us/podcast Visit KWI's YouTube channel and access a ton of free content about forging a successful welding career:  https://kwi.us/youtube TEXT OR CALL US: (606) 291-2787 FREE Welding Checklists to Kickstart Your Career:  https://weld.k...