About this episode

Ian Mehlenbacher discusses his unique career as a Red Seal Welder at Niagara Parks, highlighting various projects and the importance of trades education.

Ian Mehlenbacher is a Red Seal Welder for the Niagara Parks Commission, and his job is anything but ordinary. If you're a welder who wants to see what it looks like to work on iconic infrastructure, custom fabrication, and one-of-a-kind projects every single day, this episode shows you exactly what that career can look like. In this episode, you'll learn: What the Red Seal certification actually is and how it differs from the American apprenticeship system, including why it's competency-based rather than hour-based. How Ian apprenticed at Niagara Parks and how going to school for welding technology allowed him to skip ahead in his apprenticeship and get his foot in the door. The wide variety of work Ian does at the park , from fabricating the iconic railings at the Falls and converting them to stainless steel, to building custom truck beds, repairing cast iron park benches, and supporting underwater welders. How Ian and his mentor Ed tackled the Aero Car canopy conversion , replacing old mild steel infrastructure with stainless steel with no blueprints, just problem-solving and a rented roller. Why working with aluminum, stainless, and mild steel on a regular basis sets Ian apart…

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