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Forging a career for the Future – Alistair Weldon

Sixteen year old Alistair Weldon is going hammer and tongs to fulfill his ambition by getting on the path to a career in blacksmithing.

Having visited Kingston Maurward College Open Day in the summer of 2010, he saw the forgework demonstrations and knew that this was what he wanted to do with his life.

At just thirteen, he started attending blacksmithing classes after school, which resulted in him applying for the Level 1 Forge and Metalwork course at Kingston Maurward College last September. The course covers forgework, MIG, TIG, Arc and Gas Welding, plus functional skills in numeracy and literacy.

Alistair, who will be progressing to the Level 2 Forge and Metalwork course in September, said: “The craft of making something from scratch is very rewarding. To be able to learn from experienced blacksmiths and welders at Kingston Maurward College will give me the life skills I need for the future.”

In his spare time, Alistair works with the renowned Ben Horrobin, nephew of the world famous blacksmith Jim Horrobin, and has recently been privileged to work on the Winston Churchill memorial gates in St Paul’s Cathedral, giving him invaluable work experience for his career.