DOC offers classes using mobile welding trailer

• Alexandria Klapmeier
• May 23 2024

The Montana Department of Corrections is going mobile with a new welding trailer that will expand educational opportunities to offenders under DOC supervision.

The first stop for the classroom on wheels is May 6-31 at Helena College for offenders living in the Helena Prerelease Center. After this, the trailer will travel to the DOC’s secure facilities around the state.

“I want to have a secure job so I can support my wife and my children,” said student Jerry Lantis. “Just like any parent, I want to make sure my children are safe and secure, and they don’t have to need anything. That’s the responsibility of a parent, to make sure their kids grow up in a safe environment and can enjoy life. Welding will give me that.”

Six students are participating in the pilot program at Helena College. Before the class kicked off, students completed their OSHA-10 certification. At the end of the four-week course, the students will test for their basic welding certification called a Delta 1.1.

While this is a DOC-led effort, many helping hands were involved in getting this program off the ground. The DOC rented the trailer from Great Falls College MSU and teamed up with Helena College to create the curriculum. Even though the trailer came equipped with the tools to weld, the Montana Department of Labor and Industry purchased personal protective equipment gear for the students to take with them when they complete the program using grant funds.

The classroom is housed in a trailer. It has six welding bays, its own power from a generator, and a classroom in the front.

“This program has been a work in progress, but we’re excited to have it up and running,” said DOC Director Brian Gootkin. “With this trailer, we’ll be able to travel around the state and provide valuable training to offenders in all of our different facilities. This is another great educational opportunity for us to prepare offenders to enter our workforce with a trade and career.”

Cody Torres, the welding teacher at Helena College, created the curriculum and is teaching the first class. He helps lead the students through basic welding processes and teaches the classroom portion. For Torres, it has been a positive experience to teach this eager group of students.

“You can tell that every one of these guys here wants it,” Torres said. “As far as their attentiveness, how they ask questions, you can see in the way they represent themselves that this is something they want. This is one of those groups that you can tell are ready to go.”