Weld Away!

Rhode Island is fortunate to have a vibrant arts community, and organizations like The Steel Yard help foster its creative spirit. I had the opportunity to visit this industrial arts center to see the metalworking studio where unique artwork that can be found throughout Rhode Island is created. Repurposed metal is converted to functional public art that includes bike racks, recycling bins, benches, fences and planters. It’s amazing to see how the metal is transformed into functional masterpieces for Rhode Islanders to enjoy.
However, the Steel Yard is more than just studio space; it’s an organization dedicated to empowering local artists. Their Weld to Work program helps participants build important job skills for careers in local industries. The one-week training session teaches students to utilize critical thinking, leadership, and teamwork as they learn industry-specific skills in metalworking and other related trades.
There is a growing need for skilled workers in Rhode Island, and The Steel yard is helping train individuals to close the skills gap. As co-chair of the Career and Technical Education Caucus in Congress, I am proud to see programs in Rhode Island combining CTE and the arts to inspire and prepare our next generation workforce.
