Jaiden Belser, a Welding Technology student at Berks Career & Technology Center (BCTC) and a junior from Twin Valley High School, was recently recognized at the Berks Business Education Coalition (BBEC) Summit for his exceptional performance during his summer co-op with Spanco PTP.
Before attending BCTC, Jaiden admits that everything about welding—and even basic tools—was new to him. “I barely used a tape measure before coming to BCTC,” he said. At BCTC, Jaiden not only learned how to read a tape measure but also mastered the foundations of welding and how to weld a variety of materials.
Jaiden’s co-op experience at Spanco began with reading blueprints, then grew into weld fitting—assembling small parts that are later attached to cranes—and eventually welding the cranes themselves. One of the largest projects Jaiden worked on was a quadrix crane, which has four individual lanes that cranes can slide on to move. “It’s used in a high-density area where a lot of things are moved very quickly,” Jaiden explained. “The cranes were 40–60 feet long and would take an entire day to weld one.”
During the summer, Jaiden worked full-time from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. under the mentorship of Milton Hernandez, who became both a teacher and a friend. “My mentor is not fully fluent in English but taught me so much about welding,” Jaiden shared. “He would teach me Spanish, and I would teach him English. It was great to build a bond with him. He was a great teacher.”
Looking ahead, Jaiden plans to finish high school, earn as many welding certifications as possible, and pass the NOCTI exam. His long-term goal is to enter the workforce after graduation. “If you are thinking of going into a field—whether it be drafting, medical, or welding—attending BCTC is a must-do,” JB said. “You also have to come in with a good work ethic.”
From having never used a tape measure to welding massive cranes, JB’s journey shows how curiosity, hands-on learning, and determination can uncover incredible opportunities through career and technical education.