USS Midway’s tuition-free welding program a win-win

Student welders Mark Silva, and Ariana Espinoza on board the USS Midway. San Diego College of Continuing Education

The USS Midway aircraft carrier served actively for 47 years, longer than any other aircraft carrier in the 20th century. While officially ending its U.S. Navy service in 1992, the USS Midway was resurrected as a float and flight naval museum in 2004 in San Diego. It quickly became the most prominent museum of its kind, attracting millions of visitors over the last 20 years. 

While new aircraft, theaters, and other slick exhibits have been added to enhance the experience for tourists and history buffs, a big ol’ boat like this needs substantial maintenance.

The San Diego College of Continuing Education (SDCCE) and the USS Midway Museum came together to create a win-win situation for students of the tuition-free SDCCE welding program and the museum. One of the most challenging things for any welding education program to provide is a nonclassroom, real-world experience. In October of 2023, the pilot program launched with eight welders. 

“We are so excited to have San Diego College of Continuing Education onboard the USS Midway,” said Rear Adm. Terry Kraft, CEO of the USS Midway Museum. “This 78-year-old ship is a national icon, and to be able to introduce young people to the work we do to maintain the Midway is fantastic.”

Since then, that first program has ended, and it was so successful that there are currently 14 students in the second class. There also are talks to do similar collaborations with other trades. 

While the USS Midway staff would like to hire some of the program’s graduates, others will use this as a jumping-off point for their new careers outside of the carrier. 

“It’s a passion for me. It’s a constant, ever-growing trade, and I like working with metal. It’s like sewing with fire,” Andrea Jarvis, welding student and single mom, told KPBS. Jarvis hopes to become a professional welder on a pipeline or work on race car chassis.

Jake Hughes choked up as he spoke about his desire to follow in his late father and grandfather’s footsteps and become a tradesman. He wants to go from working on water to working underwater and welding. “Get done with this class, go to diving school, then hop in a lake,” he said.

Overall, this unique educational and historical mashup is cool—welding on a monumentally important piece of U.S. history. As if striking an arc wasn’t intoxicating enough, there’s something highly motivating about fabricating for and repairing something that millions of people will see. It doesn’t get much better than that.