The #1 Thing Holding Welders Back Isn’t Skill… It’s This

Kayla Vander Molen is a pressure welder, welding examiner, and senior instructor with the Boilermakers in Canada, and in this episode she breaks down what it really takes to build a career in one of the most demanding trades in welding. If you’ve ever wondered how pressure tickets work in Canada, what boiler makers actually do, or how mentorship and union training can change the trajectory of a welding career, this conversation gives you a real inside look at the path. **In this episode, you’ll learn** - How Kayla went from welding in the field to becoming an instructor and education advocate for the next generation. - What the pressure ticket means in Canada, and why it opens the door to additional pressure qualifications rather than being the finish line. - What boiler makers do on site, from tube work and pressure applications to high-stakes welds that can require X-ray inspection. - How union apprenticeship training builds skills through classroom learning, hands-on work, and mentorship. - Why confidence, workplace culture, and asking questions matter just as much as technical ability in welding. **About Kayla** Kayla Vander Molen is a pressure welder by trade, a welding examiner and instructor with the Boilermakers, and a contributor to educational content through the CWB. Her background includes field welding, union training, mentorship, and a strong focus on helping welders avoid the mistakes, unsafe habits, and dead-end paths that can hold them back. She also talks about the importance of keeping skills local, supporting strong workplace culture, and creating more access to practical welding education for people entering the trade. **Thank you to this weeks sponsor Abicor Binzel** Learn more about the iBOTone https://goweld.link/abicorpod **Connect with Kayla** - Website: WeldTux.com - Instagram: @weldtux https://www.instagram.com/weldtux/ **Download The Weld App** iOS: App Store https://goweld.link/AppleApp Android: Google Play https://goweld.link/Android  If this show has helped your welding career, leaving a 5-star review on Spotify or Apple Podcasts helps other welders find it. #WeldingPodcast #WeldingCareer #Boilermaker #PressureWelding #WeldingEducation #UnionWelding #WeldingInstructor #WeldingMentorship #WeldingLife #TradeSkills