Prince William County Public Schools (PWCS) students interested in welding recently visited national engineering and technical services firm, Q.E.D. Systems, Inc., in Newport News, Virginia, where they gained firsthand insight into what their future careers could look like. 

Thirty-five students participated in the trip, including three from Osbourn Park High School, two from Gar-Field High School, two from Woodbridge High School, and 27 from Potomac High School—most of whom are enrolled in Potomac’s welding specialty program. 

Q.E.D. Systems, Inc. provides engineering, information technology (IT), logistics, planning, technical, and training services to government and commercial clients. During the visit, students took part in five station rotations, including: 

  • Welding Simulation: Students used a virtual reality headset to practice their welding skills. 
  • Firewatch/Protection: Students gained hands-on experience using fire extinguishers and learned to identify different classes of fire. 
  • Assembling Pipes Using Blueprints: Students learned how to read and apply blueprints. 
  • Fall Prevention: Students used a safety harness to simulate a fall and learned strategies to prevent workplace accidents. 
  • Worksite Tour: Students toured different workstations at the firm, including the production line, material logistics, a mock ship, and a storage facility. 

During the visit, students spoke with experienced welders who shared their professional journeys in the trade. Head welder, Kearney Fox, discussed his career and highlighted one of his most memorable experiences—working on the USS Carl Vinson (CVN-70). 

In the follow-up survey, students shared that they enjoyed the trip, and many said it inspired them to further pursue welding as a career. Students provided the following comments: 

  • “This really helped me understand what I need to do to excel in welding.” 
  • “It was a fun and great experience.” 
  • “I want to come back and become a welder.” 
  • “The event was great and full of activities.” 
  • “I really enjoyed it and would definitely recommend it.” 

Nasir Ayoub, career and technical education (CTE) workforce development coordinator, organized the trip and emphasized the impact of this experience. 

“This trip to Q.E.D Systems, Inc., sponsored by the Hampton Roads Regional Apprenticeship Hub, provided our students with the opportunity to see and learn about the trades from industry professionals that they might not ordinarily be exposed to,” said Ayoub. 

Ayoub hopes to make this CTE apprenticeship field trip an annual opportunity for students.