For rising Boyertown Area Senior High School senior Konnor Weisner, this summer has been more than just a job—it's been an opportunity to turn the skills he developed in Berks Career & Technology Center's Welding program into real-world experience through a co-op at East Penn Welding. 

After completing two years in BCTC's Welding program, Konnor entered his summer co-op with confidence. From fabricating industrial battery racks to working on large-scale projects for local companies, he has quickly become a valuable member of the team. One of his biggest projects has been helping build a custom trailer, where he welded portions of the frame and structural braces before it was sent out for powder coating. 

"I came in pretty confident," Konnor shared. "Tech definitely introduced me to welding, and once you get introduced, you can take it wherever you want."  The hands-on training he received at BCTC provided the strong foundation needed to transition from the classroom to the workplace. While every day brings new challenges and learning opportunities, Konnor credits the program with giving him the confidence and technical skills to contribute to meaningful projects from day one. 

Looking ahead, Konnor plans to continue building his career after graduation by pursuing advanced welding education at Penn College of Technology. He is especially interested in robotics and automated welding systems, recognizing the growing demand for skilled professionals who can combine traditional welding expertise with emerging technologies. 

For middle school students considering BCTC, Konnor offers simple but encouraging advice.  "Don't be afraid to try it," he said. "The worst that can happen is you decide it's not for you. But you'll still leave knowing how to weld, how to use your hands, how to dedicate yourself to something, and how to work hard. Those are skills you can take anywhere." 

Through his summer co-op, Konnor is proving that with determination, hands-on training, and a willingness to learn, today's classroom experiences can become tomorrow's career opportunities.