Lincoln Electric honors teacher
Lincoln Electric announced that Brett Camacho, a welding instructor at Fresno City College in Fresno, California, has won the first-ever LEEPS Instructor of the Year Award.
The Lincoln Electric Education Partner Schools (LEEPS) program was formed in partnership with the National Coalition of Certification Centers (NC3) to provide schools with instructional materials and resources to help the next generation of welders.
“Brett rose above the other award candidates because his program exemplifies everything the LEEPS welding certification program stands for, including train-the-trainer, advancing and using new welding technology, and advocating for welding certifications and industry-recognized credentials,” said Dan Klingman, manager of educational programming at Lincoln Electric.
Camacho started welding at age 12, helping with his family’s business. While in high school, he decided to pursue becoming a high school agriculture mechanics teacher.
During college, he continued to work for his family’s business and do side jobs in welding. After earning his bachelorette, teaching credentials and master’s degree at California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo, he became a high school welding instructor.
He eventually started his own welding and fabrication business with a partner that specialized in building stainless steel irrigation filtration system components and custom signs and parts. In 2005, he transitioned to Fresno City College as a full-time welding and fabrication instructor.
He maintains strong industry partnerships through sitting on advisory and hiring committees, conducting workshops, hosting welding competitions, and fabricating projects for local businesses – one of which was building orangutan sleeping baskets and feeders for the Fresno Chaffee Zoo, said the firm.
“We could not have found a more deserving recipient of the first-ever LEEPS Instructor of the Year award. Brett has set a very high bar,” said Klingman.
Along with a trophy, Camacho received the new Lincoln Electric Power MIG 215 MPi multi-process welder.
He also was named a member of the LEEPS Advisory Committee, which has representation from community colleges and high schools, professional trade organizations and industry.
“I am honored to receive this award,” said Camacho. “It’s especially meaningful since it aligns closely with my goals to help bridge the gap between training and industry and increase the number of skilled welders ready to enter the workforce.”
