AHS welders earn D1.1 certification

By Sandy Morris

Albany High School graduates Brady Karl and Riley Green recently earned American Welding Society D1.1 certifications.

AHS ag teacher Chris Beard said the two students were enrolled in his welding classes every year while they were in high school, but they came into the program already knowing the basics.

“These two boys started welding at home, got into my ag classes, and continued to work on cutting and welding,” Beard said. “My goal was to get them certified by the time they graduated.”

Beard contacted Abilene High School ag teacher Cindy Easley to test the welders.

“The boys had to weld a ‘T’ and then have it go through a bend test to see if it broke,” said Beard. “Easley visually certified both welds and sent off the information to get them D1.1 certified.”

Beard said that having this certification allows a student to go straight to work from high school.

“Someone with this certification would still have to test out for a pipe line job, for example,” said Beard, “but they have the advantage of already having a D1.1 card and the knowledge for the job.”

Karl, who is the son of Lisa Cauble and Cody Karl, said he caught on to welding from his dad.

“I think it is a skill everyone should know,” said Karl. “This is a skill I have for personal use but also as a career backup plan.”

Karl plans to attend South Plains College in the fall and major in agribusiness.

Green, the son of Jerry and Linda Green, also started welding with his dad and plans to weld on his own projects when needed.

He plans to attend TSTC in Marshall in the fall to study automation and instrumentation. 

“These are both hardworking, very talented young men,” said Beard. “They will be a good asset to the workforce in whatever industry they enter.”

Beard also said that the plan is to graduate more students next year with the certification and help them get an advantage in the job market.