 While the welding program at CLC has been around for nearly 50 years, but more recently instructors have noticed a growing diversity in welders. Females, students with disabilities and non-traditional age students have been taking over the welding classroom. Older students have helped lead the younger ones and females bring an added layer of detail to welding. The instructors say it goes to show that welding is for anyone. Employers want employees that can mesh together with whatever their culture may be and grow and work and do things as a group. We want to push for that in our teaching too because that's part of our job is to get them ready for industry. The welding program is 90% hands-on learning. If you've enjoyed this segment of Lakeland News, please consider making a tax-deductible contribution to Lakeland Public Television.