Jordan Taft, a graduate of the Welding program at DCMO BOCES Alan D. Pole Campus in Norwich, recently won gold in the welding category of the international Toyota Material Handling Group (TMHG) Skills Competition. Taft is a welder at The Raymond Corporation in Greene, NY, part of the Toyota Industries family of companies. He competed against other welders from Toyota Industries material handling facilities in China, France, Italy, Sweden and the United States.
According to a media release from the company, the competition consists of welding a steel pressure vessel, which required performing tack welding, executing semiautomatic welding and finishing the vessel’s surface. “It was an honor to represent Raymond in the competition and secure the gold,” Taft said. “I’m proud to work for a company that values the skilled trades, such as welding, and provides opportunities for skills advancement.”
“Jordan actually earned the highest score of any competitor ever,” according to Jaan Aarismaa, Welding Instructor at DCMO BOCES Pole Campus. “Very proud of our alumni!”
—Photo Credit: The Raymond Corporation