New Welding program offers students expertise, state-of-the-art equipment

Welding is one of two new programs for the 2025-26 school year

Nick Villanova has spent the last two years learning the basics of welding from a professional: his grandfather. Yet after just one month in the Center for Career Services’ new Welding program, the Port Chester High School student has been very impressed.

“This place is great,” said Villanova, a junior. “The equipment is so modern. Even the older equipment is top of the line. It’s been a much, much better experience working here.”

The course, taught by Peter Campbell, a former professional welder who first learned the trade as a teenager in his native Jamaica, is new for the 2025-26 school year. Welding is one of the Center’s two new offerings, along with HVAC, giving the school 21 Career and Technical Education programs.

“It’s been wonderful so far,” said Andrew Radomski, a junior from Dobbs Ferry. “We’re learning so fast. We’re in here working on projects every day from start to finish and I really like that. I like working with my hands.”

Mr. Campbell previously taught at the Apex Technical School in Long Island City and has been energized by the opportunity to mold the new program.

“Coming here is a really great opportunity,” he said. “Coming into this space and putting the program together from scratch was something I was really looking forward to.”

Throughout the year, students will learn the three common types of welding: MIG (Gas Metal Arc Welding), TIG (Gas Tungsten Arc Welding) and Stick (Shielded Metal Arc Welding). The course began with a focus on safety equipment and techniques, but the students are already learning about how to use heat to melt metal and create joints.

“Mr. Campbell has been a really great teacher,” said Ahmed Ali, a junior from Harrison.

The long-term goal is to prepare students to earn accreditations after they complete the two-year course. They have many more skills to learn until that becomes a reality, but the students are eager to take those next steps.

“We’re in here physically doing it every day,” Villanova said. “It’s a great way to learn.”