Lincoln-Way West welding students are gaining real-world experience through a one-of-a-kind welding truck that takes learning out of the classroom and into the field.
The truck, a recycled district maintenance vehicle, was renovated by the students and outfitted with professional-grade welding equipment. “While our welding shop is awesome, students need to understand that job sites don’t always offer perfect conditions,” said welding instructor Jason Visny. “Working from the truck pushes them to adapt, solve problems, and build confidence in situations they won’t experience inside the shop.”
The mobile setup allows students to weld in real-world conditions—on uneven terrain and in the elements—simulating the type of job sites they will encounter after graduation. By trading a controlled space for authentic fieldwork, students sharpen technical skills while developing the adaptability, resilience, and troubleshooting mindset employers value in the welding industry.
Kyle Sydor and Jacob Bronakowski, both senior welding students, emphasized how the experience differed from welding in the shop: “The wind as well as the sun blinded me while I was welding, but welding outside was much more fun than being in the shop,” said Sydor. “It was a ton of fun, and just way different than being in the shop,” said Bronakowski.
This innovative approach reflects Lincoln-Way’s commitment to creating hands-on learning experiences that prepare students for the workforce and life beyond graduation.
There are currently 88 students enrolled in the welding program at West. Three levels of welding are offered: welding 1 (introduction to welding), welding 2 (dual credit with Joliet Junior College (JJC)), and welding 3 (dual credit with JJC and honors credit with Lincoln-Way).