Video: Building the Future of Skilled Trades in St. Ansgar

At Wold Rim & Wheel, supporting the future of manufacturing starts long before a student enters the workforce. It starts in classrooms, workshops and communities like St. Ansgar, Iowa — home to Wold's headquarters — where students are discovering the value of skilled trades and hands-on learning. Through a recent equipment donation to the St. Ansgar Community School District’s Industrial Technology Program, Wold is helping students gain experience with advanced welding technology — while opening doors to future career opportunities.

As part of the initiative, Wold funded the purchase of new welders and plasma cutters, providing students with access to professional-grade tools and technology used in today’s manufacturing environments. The investment reflects Wold’s long-standing commitment to workforce readiness, hands-on education and creating opportunities for the next generation of skilled workers.

Hear more about the partnership and its impact in the video below.

Preparing Students for the Workforce

The upgraded equipment gives students hands-on experience with the same advanced welding technology used in today’s manufacturing environments — helping bridge the gap between the classroom and the workforce. According to Industrial Technology Instructor Craig Christensen, the goal is to ensure students are prepared for life after high school with practical, real-world skills.

“I don’t want to teach skills that are outdated,” Christensen says. “I want to prepare these kids so they are ready for the workforce.”

Derrick Powers, Production Manager at Wold, worked closely with the school to help ensure the equipment reflected current industry standards and real-world applications. The welders purchased for the program utilize the same technology used within Wold’s manufacturing operations, helping students build familiarity and confidence before entering a career in manufacturing or pursuing trade programs.

“It’s important for students to see there are strong career opportunities right here in their local communities,” Powers says.

Creating Opportunities Close to Home

For students, the impact extends beyond technical training. The program helps expose them to meaningful local career opportunities while reinforcing the important role skilled trades play in keeping rural communities strong.

For some students, the program is helping shape future career paths and long-term goals. “Being in this class and enjoying working with my hands made it more obvious that I wanted to work in the trades,” one student said.

Investing in the Future of Rural Communities

As rural communities continue to face workforce shortages, partnerships like this play an important role in helping students explore career paths while strengthening local industries and economies. By investing in education and workforce development, Wold is helping create opportunities for future generations to live, work and thrive in the communities they call home.

Since its beginnings in St. Ansgar in 1938, Wold has remained grounded in the values of hard work, craftsmanship and community support. Today, those same values continue to drive investments that strengthen the future of local students, manufacturing and the communities Wold proudly supports.

For more stories like this, check out Wold’s News & Updates.