Brandon Whitney was connected to Lakeland College long before he began working as an instructor at the college.

He'd always had an interest in welding. Growing up on a farm, he used to tinker and build different projects from a young age and had always enjoyed it. That's why he jumped at the chance to learn some professional skills in Career and Technology Studies (CTS) while in Grade 10 at Marwayne School.

Buffalo Trail Public Schools is one of the divisions that partners with Lakeland to give their students the opportunity to participate in one-week courses to gain hands-on experience in different trades and careers. Over the years, those courses have included electrical, automotive, welding, interior design, carpentry and more.

“A lot of people have a hobby at home, but they don't necessarily have the professional skills to do it well,” Whitney explains. “Through CTS, they can do these courses and experience what the work environment would be like. They get to see what to expect while working in the industry in that trade.”

He also became an apprentice in high school through the Registered Apprenticeship Program (RAP).

Despite his mother lobbying for him to go into engineering, Whitney decided to pursue a trade. After obtaining a local welding apprenticeship, he chose to complete his apprenticeship studies at Lakeland.

“Because of the CTS courses, I had a pre-existing relationship with Lakeland,” he explains. “I really enjoyed my time here. The technology is exceptional, and I enjoyed every one of my instructors.”

After completing the program in 2017 and becoming a Red Seal Journeyperson, Whitney worked in the industry, including a year spent building airplanes, which was a highlight. Just as sourcing airplane parts became difficult, an instructor from Lakeland reached out with a new opportunity.

“He asked me if I'd like to try teaching at Lakeland,” Whitney says. “I've always enjoyed teaching. Throughout my apprenticeship, my friends would come over in the evenings and I'd teach them how to weld. I always enjoyed seeing their progress as I taught them.”

Whitney began working as a CTS and introduction to welding instructor at Lakeland in April. In June, he led a three-week-long introduction to welding course for students from Onion Lake Cree Nation.

“Five of the students enrolled in Lakeland's pre-employment welding program this fall,” Whitney says. “It's really cool to see them wanting to get into the trade.”

This fall, he instructed pre-employment welding at the Vermilion campus. He led another introduction to welding course for students of Onion Lake Cree Nation in November.

Photos: Whitney works with students in Lakeland College's welding labs.