2024 Blue Collar Tour visiting Kofa High School

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) - The Western Welding Academy visited Kofa High School Wednesday as part of the 2024 Blue Collar Tour.

The tour started on January 16 with a goal of visiting over 30 high schools and trade schools across the country to showcase the trades as an "alternative to the traditional college routes."

Kofa High School welding teacher Christopher Smart was able to share why he thinks this event is so important for his students.

“It gives students the ideas that they could make a very good living doing trades that our country really needs right now our infrastructure is not at its best and these types of events and these types of jobs are what’s going to help run this country in the future,” said Smart.

Students from Kofa, Gila Ridge, Yuma High, and San Luis High School’s welding program were all in attendance, totaling to around 150 students.

The founder of the Western Welding Academy, Tyler Sasse, explains the message they want to send to these students.

“We talk about the importance of the trades and what they mean for our economy and our overall country and how important it is for them to go into a trade really consider that versus college,” said Sasse.

The student secretary for Kofa Welding, Iraider Mills, shared why he is excited for the event.

“I think this is a great opportunity for people to see what we do here in welding and for us to maybe get more projects in at the community and help put in some work,” said Mills.

To learn more about the tour, click here.