When Summit Academy Secondary School – Akron junior Brayden Huntsman applied for the College Credit Plus program and, subsequently, for the Stark State College Welding Program, he was already a shoo-in. The 17-year-old had both the interest and aptitude to pursue Stark State’s 16-week welding program while balancing his coursework at Summit Academy.
“Brayden likes to be challenged and expand his horizons. It’s a good investment for him, to learn from the instructors there and to start his journey to becoming a welder,” says Principal Ralph Grant.
Huntsman’s welding voyage originally began last June, when Grant researched welding programs after learning about Huntsman’s interest in the field from him and his mother.
“Brayden pushed to get the ball rolling,” says Grant, explaining how he linked his mother with representatives from Stark State.
Summit Academy Akron Secondary further supported Huntsman’s pursuit by purchasing his welding kit, required for the program.
On a late Tuesday morning, shortly before he begins his twice-weekly trek to the college campus by way of two connecting Metro buses, Huntsman displays his gear on a school cafeteria table. He describes each piece with precision and passion. The spread includes everything from mig and tig welding gloves to welpers, a paring hammer and protective gear.
“I was excited to get in the program,” Huntsman says. “So few people pursue welding but there’s been a shift from liberal arts to the trades. The market is so saturated with lawyers, judges and accountants. My goal is to be a welder.”
Besides the presumed job security, Huntsman says welding and its diverse 
applications, such as underwater, capsule, construction, aerospace and metal fabrication, leave plenty of options and potential for high pay on the table.
Currently enrolled in Principles of Welding, Huntsman is completing various hands-on projects in the welding booth. He is one of 12 students in the program, the majority of whom are college age or older. When he completes the program at the end of next school year, Huntsman will have two new credentials under his belt, in addition to his high school diploma: an associate degree and welding certification.
“It’s a win, win,” Grant says.