Getting a head start: Waylon Lauck’s NLC success story

Once Lauck reached high school, he learned he could enter the dual credit program through Northern Lakes College. Through the program, he earned high school credits and found an employer. Lauck was able to earn his high school diploma a semester early and landed a full-time welding job serving the Athabasca and Martin Hills area. Already ahead of most of his peers, he recently completed his first-year apprenticeship and plans to soon begin his second year at the Northern Lakes College, Slave Lake Trades and Technology Centre, where he will live in student housing for the duration of his labs.

“Working with the college has been really straightforward,” Lauck said. “You fill out the paperwork and they have all the rest planned out for you, and the dual credit program was outstanding. The teachers at my high school and the instructors at the college were really helpful. They wanted to support me in every way possible.”

Within the next five years, Lauck plans to have earned his journeyman welder’s certificate and hopes to be operating his own welding business, either in his home province of Alberta or perhaps further south in Texas. He also hopes to mentor others who are interested in entering the trade.

“I’d say to other high school kids considering entering the trades to just go ahead and build those skills,” Lauck said. “You can always pursue other careers as well, but it’s good to have a trade in case your plans don’t pan out. The trades will always be around. You’ll always have a skill to fall back on, whatever happens.” www.northernlakescollege.ca/dual-credit

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At Northern Lakes College, we open doors to opportunities for high school students, creating excitement for their future.