National Welding Month: A Look at Our Welding Program at AltaSea

In partnershp with AltaSea, Dynamic Education, and Harbor Freight Tools, we're giving our members the opportunity to help build their careers.

April is National Welding Month, and at the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Los Angeles Harbor, we need no better reason to talk about one of our most hands-on programs that we offer, one we’re very proud of, and that most people don’t even know we run.

In partnership with Harbor Freight Tools for Schools and the Pacific Maritime Association, high school members of the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Los Angeles Harbor are learning to weld. Not as a hobby, but as a trade.

Our welding program offers training on professional equipment at a real industry facility, instruction in the fundamentals, safety practices, and techniques used every day across construction and manufacturing.

And to top it all off? Enrolled members can earn an American Welding Society credential, an industry-recognized certification that opens doors to real careers.

Experienced instructors mentor members, tailoring schedules around evenings, weekends, summers, and school breaks, so students don’t fall behind in school.

One of those members is Julian C. Julian graduated from our Humanities and Arts Academy during the 2023-2024 school year and, in that same year, enrolled in the welding program at AltaSea.

"My plan is to pursue welding, whether that is for a union or a private company. I even bought my own equipment to continue to perfect my craft. I plan on applying to an apprenticeship program while attending El Camino's welding courses."

Welding is one of the most in-demand skilled trades in the country, and the Harbor is home to some of the most active industrial infrastructure in the nation. The work is here, and we’re proud to be providing a pathway to it.

4 Trades Welding is just one of the four trades we offer.

Achieve an AWS Certification An industry-recognized welding certification that opens doors to real careers.

140 high school students & program alumni enrolled for 2026 - 2027

240 Hours of combined hands-on training across summer and school year Saturdays.

Interested in getting involved? Learn more at bgclaharbor.org/careerbound. Want to become a monthly sustainer to support members like Julian? Become a monthly sustainer at bgclaharbor.org/sustainer.