How Javier Found Purpose in Welding
Javier never imagined that welding would become his passion. But sometimes, the right opportunities come from the most unexpected places. After completing a drug court rehabilitation program, Javier’s probation officer introduced him to an opportunity that would change his life – a paid welding class.
Although welding wasn’t something Javier had previously considered, he was excited to try something new and jumped at the chance to gain new skills.
“I thought, ‘This is going to give me a sense of direction, and purpose, and right away I loved it’,” he says.
Three months later, he joined the Advanced Training Pathways program at the Center for Employment Opportunities (CEO) in Inland Empire, which provides free training to help individuals develop high-growth career skills and earn above-average wages.
But early in his training, Javier experienced car trouble, making it difficult to get to class. Fortunately, CEO provided support with transportation to and from class, which helped him stay committed to his goals. The financial stability he gained through the program also made a difference, helping him stay focused on his future.
Through hard work and dedication, Javier successfully completed this course and earned a welding certification from the state of California. Soon, he will be ready to join the state’s welder’s union. But before that, there’s another skill he wants to master—flux core welding, a specialized technique that will make him even more competitive in the field.
Today, Javier works at a fabrication company, helping construct the metal beams that form the foundation of buildings. While he enjoys the structure and discipline of his work schedule, his greatest source of motivation is his six-month-old son.
“Someday, I hope to be able to teach him all I’ve learned,” Rincon said. “It’s a skill that stays with you, and if he has that, he’ll always be able to support himself.”
Listening to Rincon talk about these newfound passions, one can’t help but find the connection between his work, which involves fusing each metal piece together, and what it means to build a life he has filled with purpose. He is building a solid foundation for continued growth.
In terms of the future, Javier’s goal is to become a journeyman—a highly skilled welder who can work independently on large-scale projects. Becoming a journeyman is also a way to obtain upward financial mobility, which is another perk that will open the doors to travel opportunities. He laughs as he recalls a friend who once welded a treehouse in Hawaii, an unconventional but impressive job that reminds him of the limitless possibilities in his field.
“Working on a skyscraper in different parts of the world – that’s my long-term goal,” Rincon said. “It’s an adrenaline rush, but I want to keep learning. Becoming a journeyman – that’s what I see myself doing in the next five years. And nothing’s gonna stop me.”
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