Cody Broeren takes instruction from Duane Czaicki on vertical welding at Consolidated's welding and fabrication lab.

Broeren is in the spacious welding lab with a small group of other Consolidated steel workers, eager to understand and practice the concepts Czaicki is teaching. With practice, his training will lead him to becoming a certified welder; a speedy transition to the civilian workplace for a man who stepped off the battlefield only a few months ago.

Hired after attending the “Hiring Our Heroes” veteran’s job fair at the Lambeau Field Atrium in October, Broeren’s welding training will give him the skills to weld structural steel in the construction of commercial and industrial buildings. And, he’ll be a certified welder after passing a state examination this spring.

That’s the payoff Consolidated Construction is looking for when they make the investment of on-site training to teach skilled trades to their current and new employees. With welders being part of the skilled labor shortage in Wisconsin, the company has taken measures into its own hands to ensure its workforce is able to keep up with demand.

“With larger corporations having difficulty finding skilled talent, we know competition is fierce for those who already have completed their training,” said Dan Holum, Consolidated’s Vice President of Field Operations. “Smaller companies are generally at a disadvantage in such a competitive labor market, but we’re determined not to let that excuse get the best of us. We have smart, skilled workers here, many who have been with the company for years and are eager to supplement their skills.”

Consolidated Construction put the wheels in motion last year to make the training free and accessible to its crews. The company reorganized its vehicle and equipment facility to make room for a new fabrication and welding lab. Workers created the welding stations and built a bending machine to facilitate training. The company brought on Czaicki to lead the training.

Now, workers attend welder training in small groups with hands on instruction in vertical and horizontal welding and bending. New employees like Broeren will require up to 120 hours of training and practice before their certification test with a state inspector. Others who have been with the company longer will need only refresher training.

“This is a big investment, certainly,” Holum adds. Construction in Wisconsin has been on the rise for the second month in a row, but has been mostly flat for several years. “Construction workers as a whole have seen a lot of lay off time in the past few years,” Holum said. “I think they realize that continued training is not optional anymore. It’s difficult for a small company to concentrate on anything but revenue-generating activities during a recession, but really, that’s the best time manpower-wise.”

Duane Czaiki (left) explains vertical welding techniques to steel crew member Bill Dexheimer.

It also allows the company to keep tabs on its own quality. “One of the biggest advantages to Consolidated is our ability to self-perform our own structural steel erection,” Holum said. “If we were to experience a situation where we had to outsource this trade due to a lack of skilled manpower, we’d have little control over the price or the quality of the final product. We’re just not willing to give that away.”

For Broeren, the recently hired veteran, he can concentrate on learning. Back in October, he was unsure of his job prospects. Having heard of how difficult it would be to land a civilian job, he stepped off the plane from his tour of duty on Tuesday and wasted no time in attending the “Hiring Our Heroes” event that same Saturday. He met Holum at the event and was hired by Consolidated within a week. He’s been on-the-job training since, and that’s made his transition much smoother.

“I’m not worried about sending out resumes and job hunting,” Broeren said. “I’m working, and the extra training is just a plus.”

Czaicki, the instructor, said many workers have welded before, but have not been properly trained on it. It’s a job he relishes because he sees the enthusiasm and desire to learn in his students.

“Quality is the most important part of my job,” he adds. “Welding is one of those things where you never really notice the quality until something fails. Everyone gets that. They’re eager to make sure they’re doing it right.”

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