Nicholas Heuner had an interest in welding when he enrolled in Somerset County Vocational and Technical Schools (SCVTS), but that interest quickly turned into a passion. He said hands-on learning opportunities provided by the school’s Welding program gave him a strong foundation of knowledge and skills that made him enthusiastic about pursuing a future in welding.
Heuner, of Bridgewater, graduated from SCVTS in 2023 and now works as a welder for the Admiral Filter Company. Heuner loves his career, and he has found a great sense of pride in being able to contribute to meaningful projects, including on the United States Navy’s vessels.
“I’m ecstatic that I get to work on these projects,” said Heuner. “The education I received from SCVTS taught me everything I need to know about welding and fabrication. I had never done welding before going to SCVTS, and when I graduated, I had such an understanding that I felt that I could walk onto any job and start working.”
While at SCVTS, Heuner won first place in the welding sculpture competition for SkillsUSA and advanced to the national competition. His first-place finish in the category was a first for his district, and he used that as motivation to perform well in nationals.
“The teaching at SCVTS helped me to understand my trade,” said Heuner. “It also helped me become a fast learner and gave me a general understanding about a lot of different trades.” He added that both are important as he collaborates with different tradespeople on a variety of projects.
