Membership in the Boilermakers Local 667 in Winnfield, West Virginia, has been a King family tradition for three generations.  But when Joshua King graduated from high school, he held an impressive academic record and pursued an opportunity to attend Washington and Jefferson College in Pennsylvania on a partial academic scholarship.  Josh was also a four-year starter for the “Presidents” football team and made All-American his senior year.  As the first in his family to attend college, Josh earned a bachelor’s degree in history at the liberal arts college and, after graduation, began working as a manager trainee at a well-known rental car company.

It wasn’t long before Josh realized that his supervisor was receiving most of the credit for his hard work and the level of pay did not reflect the education he had earned or the hours that Josh was working.

“I knew I could earn more as a Boilermaker,” says Josh.  “When you produce a weld, it stands on its own merit.  No one else can take credit for your work.  And you don’t have to wear a white shirt and tie to work!”

So Josh, who had never welded before, decided to attend Hobart Institute of Welding Technology and enroll in the Combination Structural and Pipe Welding Program.  His younger brother, Alex, chose Hobart Institute as well and they are learning the trade, side-by-side.  Alex has a twin, Andrew, who also has his goal set to become a Boilermaker.  Andrew is working in the trade and is awaiting his acceptance into the apprenticeship with the Boilermakers. 

Josh’s older brother, Daniel, works in this trade, as does their mother, Melinda, who is a journeyman welder.  Melinda served the 6000 hour apprenticeship to get into the union.  Josh’s Aunt Deborah Blue was the first female Boilermaker in the United States.  His father, Jesse D. King, is retired after 25 years in the union and his grandfather, the late Jesse G. King, also retired from the Boilermakers Local 667.   

The majority of the welding done by this local is in power plants, both new construction and working outages. 

“My college won’t go to waste,” says Josh.  “No one can take from me the academic background and communication skills that I learned.  But when you chose a career,” says Josh, “make sure it is something you want to do and that you will enjoy.  Don’t be influenced by what others may think you should do.  Keep it mind that you may be doing it for the rest of your life.”

“This is a true image of what welding is all about,” says Ron Scott, Vice President and General Manager of Hobart Institute.  “It also shows that welding is not strictly a male environment.”

Josh is looking forward toward completing his training on December 15 and heading home to West Virginia to pursue the family tradition in Boilermakers Local 667.