By: Janet Piechocki
Admissions Representative
Hobart Institute of Welding Technology

Charles E. Livermore recently brought his students to Hobart Institute of Welding Technology for the first and last time.  Charles had not been back to Hobart Institute since 1966 when he completed classes here.  He will be retiring next year from his position as welding instructor at EHOVE Career Center in Milan, Ohio.

Charles has done a lot of things since he has graduated from HIWT.  He started his career at Lorain Cranes in Lorain, Ohio doing heavy fabrication as a tacker/fitter until, according to Charles, “They figured out I could weld.” He stayed with the company until they moved to Chattanooga, TN in 1978.  He had the opportunity to move with them but chose to stay in Ohio.  That same year, Charles was told of a welding instructor position at EHOVE Career Center and he has been there ever since.

In between his job in Lorain and the one at the school, Charles owned his own portable welding business for 15 years until the demands of being a teacher became too much to keep up with both.  He also utilized his welding abilities for his church by assisting in the building of a daycare center on a missionary trip in Tegucigalpa, Honduras.

“When I got there, all they had was an old welder covered in white moss and no power source.  When we left, it was the beginning of a daycare center that housed 120 kids. After 13 years, it is still a work in progress but nearly completed.  I still visit every few years.”

As a teacher, Charles has really developed a fondness and empathetic attitude for his students.  He has great concerns with the skilled trade slot his students will one day fill.

“The skilled trade unions have to pay more attention to the technical and vocational schools. There are many good kids out there that just need a break to gain the experience they need,” says Charles.  “If unions would just get more involved with the schools, they would be able to see what these kids can do.  Our students try to look for jobs where they can gain experience in the field but are turned away because they don’t have experience to start with.  It is very frustrating for them.  I believe it is the responsibility of all of us to guide our future generation of welders into becoming an integral part of the industry.”

When Charles retires, he plans to use his trade to help raise money towards missions that his church supports by fabricating ornamental ironwork.  The Appalachian mission is an operation that feeds the needy in Kentucky, West Virginia, and Southern Ohio. Charles is also an associate pastor at his local church.  His vision for the future is to mentor folks in the community by sharing his skills with them and getting them involved in raising money for those who are less fortunate.  We wish Charles the best of luck in his future endeavors. The best is yet to come.