The Haitian Vocation: About the Welding Class

One of my tasks for the vocational school is to write a report explaining the organization for each vocational class. I just finished the report on the welding class and I thought you would all be interested to see it!

(I don't know the proper spelling of Danielle's name so I just left it blank)

Welding Course Structure Report

This document contains the course curriculum and a course management plan for the Welding program at the La Croix New Testament Mission

Course Management Plan

Course Overview

Danielle _____ will be in charge of the Welding program at the La Croix New Testament mission school. Altenor Phillip, the superintendent of the La Croix schools will be overseeing the class. There are two main components to the welding program, (1) the theoretical course work and (2) the application of that knowledge to the construction profession in Haiti. Since welding is such a hands on craft, both of these components will be taught together. Danielle will instruct his students on the theory of welding and best practice methods, and then have the students practice the lesson directly after he has taught it. Danielle has been contracted by the mission to do most of the mission’s iron work. He will help the students practice their welding skills on the projects he has been assigned by the mission. This will not only help the mission be more productive, but it will help the students gain experience working on real projects.

Calendar:

Beginning of Course: November 2012

Expected completion for current class: May 2013

Danielle feels that the students will be adequately able to work as welders with about four months of preparation. For the current class of welders, he will work with them until the next class comes, and then he will give them some of the projects that the mission has assigned to him to the welders who have completed the course. They have been working recently on a gate and will begin to focus on making more chairs for the roof deck.

Weekly class schedule: The class meets five times a week. Two of the days will have a lesson incorporated in them, and the lesson will last for about one hour. The average week will have about ten hours of both course work and practical application. During every class the students will spend time working on their projects and practicing the lessons Danielle has taught them.

Apprenticeships:

The apprenticeship portion of the class is meant to give the students better preparation and training. Though this is not required by any governing entity, we think they will be beneficial for the following reasons:

1. Welding is a physically demanding occupation and the students should be tested to see if they are physically capable before entering into the workforce as a welder.

2. The apprenticeships will give the students a chance to better understand the theoretical material and better prepare the labor market.

3. The students will be instructed on the safety issues associated with welding and the proper procedures to prevent any long term harm

4. The students will practice proper welding techniques and learn how to use each tool to its fullest capability

5. The best practices will be enforced during the apprenticeship and the students will go into the labor market knowing not only how to weld but how to deliver a high quality product.

The apprenticeships will be under the supervision of Danielle ____. They will focus on the welding projects for the mission. They are right now working on a gate for the mission and will address all of the metal needs for the new construction going on in Pacot and Paul. There has been a considerable amount of supplies donated to the welders by the American volunteers and right now they have everything they need to keep working. They will eventually need to replace their supplies, but that is not an immediate concern.

Work after Graduation:

Minimum expected wage upon graduation: 500 GDS per day. Depending on the skill of the student though, the wage can increase dramatically. For Danielle, a job for a house pays 8000-9000 HGD per job.

Hiring expectation: The students will be allowed to work for whomever they please upon graduation. If the students delay their tuition and owe money to the school, they will be able to repay the mission by working on different projects for the mission at a reduced salary. Pastor Pierre has a long list of building projects he is working on, and feels that he can help every student get started in their professional career by giving them project to work on at the mission. Pastor Pierre said that there is enough building in Pacot alone to employ this current class of welders as well as the and upcoming class of welders once they complete their course work. The students can use this experience to get started, they can also use this experience to get in touch with other masons, welders, and tradesmen who they can work with on future projects. Pastor Pierre feels confident that the students who graduate from this program will have many opportunities in La Croix and the surrounding areas (L’estere, Gonaives, Saint Marc) to find viable employment. The mission has a good reputation in the community, and Pastor Pierre and Danielle will give a good recommendation any student who has successfully completed the course.

Certification: There is no formal state certification for welders. The mission will award a certificate to each student who successfully completes the course. Given the good reputation of the mission, this certificate should help the students find employment around the La Croix area.

The Student Body

Student motivation: Pastor Pierre and Danielle want as many students to graduate from the welding program as possible, but they know that the program is not for everyone. Right now they have two students in the program. The two students are exceptional students and extremely motivated. The incoming class will have ten to fifteen students. Danielle wanted to use this time as a trial period so he took on fewer students. He now feels quite confident that he can instruct a class of ten to fifteen students and have enough projects to give each student adequate hands on training.

Evaluation: The students will be evaluated on two levels; written exams and performance on projects. Since there is no formal state exam, the majority of the student’s evaluation will be based on the students performance on the projects assigned to the student by Danielle. A student will not finish school unless he or she has demonstrated high ability and an understanding of high quality work. There will be an emphasis both in the theoretical teachings and during the projects on safety and the importance of using proper equipment.

Student Demographics:

The students in the welding program will be ages 15 and up. Right now there is one student who is 16 and one student who is 28. The students for the welding program do not have to be enrolled in high school. Since welding is a profession that can be taught relatively quickly, the classes will be open to members of the community as well as the high school students. The students will need to demonstrate an understanding of basic mathematics, specifically measurements. The students will be encouraged to complete their high school education if they are enrolled in high school. This is not a possibility for all students however, so for those students who have a greater need to start providing for themselves and their families, they are able to drop out of high school and begin working full time once they finish the course.

Supplies:

Welder

Welder delco

Electrodes bank

3/8 Iron

1/4 Iron

1/2 inch angle iron

1/2 iron

Iron Clamp

Helmet and glasses

Cold Chisel

Welder Hammer