THREE BROTHERS SELECT HOBART
INSTITUTE FOR TRAINING

Three brothers, sons of Laura and Daniel Tapija II, have selected welding as their chosen profession.  Daniel III, age 19, Cody, age 20, and Jacob Tapija, age 21, spent ten months in 2005 at the Hobart Institute to perfect their skills.  They completed the Combination Structural and Pipe Welding Program and then added Pipe Layout for Fitters and Welders and Shielded Metal Arc Welding Pipe Downhill to their schedules. 

The Prescott, Arizona men are Native Americans from the Yavapai-Apache Nation.  Their tribe has chosen to support their education at the Hobart Institute as long as they attend class and maintain at least a 2.0 G.P.A.  Daniel and Jacob also achieved perfect attendance. 

They first attended a junior college closer to home.  But when they learned about HIWT from a relative, they made it their goal.

“Hobart Institute is the best school in the country for welding,” says Cody.  “While our former college used Hobart Institute training materials, the level of education we received at Hobart is better for welders.  It would take four years at college to earn what we have received in nine months at Hobart.”

Thus, the return on the investment in education for the Tapija brothers will be realized much sooner.

“Daniel and I would like to work in Alaska on the pipeline,” says Jacob, while Cody is keeping all options open at this point.  They all realize they will need on-the-job experience to reach their higher goals. 

“We enjoy golf, snowboarding, fishing, hunting, and most all outdoor sports,” says Daniel of their choice of leisure activities.  Their hometown of Prescott is in the north central part of Arizona and is about a mile above sea level.  The moderate climate with changing seasons provides the opportunity for many outdoor adventures.