Interested in building a career?

A real opportunity to earn a great living?

Maybe even have your own company one day?

You could make an excellent living in an exciting field while mastering great new skills and improving yourself everyday with an ABC education. The ultimate goal for many entrepreneur-minded individuals is to eventually work for themselves - a very achievable goal in today's construction industry.

Visit our craft training section of our website to find out more info!




ABC New Orleans/Bayou Chapter awarded grant from United Way of St. Charles for Technology upgrades in the Instrumentation Department and laptops for use by instructors in the classroom.  Thank you United Way of St. Charles for supporting our training facility by awarding us this grant!  We look forward to continuing to provide the highest level of training to our students.  







Jared Valence
Gold & Safety—Pipe Welding 
Sponsor: ABC New Orleans/Bayou Chapter and Pala-Interstate
Employer: Pala-Interstate
Welding is in Jared Valence’s blood. He was raised around welders and has always loved the trade. While his path to the industry wasn’t exactly a direct route (prior to welding, he worked on tug boats and had a job as a diesel technician), he was eventually drawn in when he started working as a welding helper. During that time, he took note of the numerous opportunities in the industry. He decided it was time to make the move, and a good friend helped him get a job with Pala-Interstate in St. Rose, La.“I knew I could make a good living and a career out of this craft,” Valence says. “Welding is one of the highest paid crafts, and with me being very competitive, I want to bring welding to the next level.” With three years under his belt at Pala-Interstate, Valence decided to compete in the ABC New Orleans/Bayou Chapter’s in-house welding competition. He placed first in pipe welding. “By winning, I was invited to attend the NCC, and my company supported me.”Valence did not disappoint at the national level. “Placing first at the NCC gave me more confidence in my abilities as a welder. It will push me forward to earn my certification. It taught me to be consistent and let my work speak for itself.”Though he appreciates the art of welding, the spirit of competition and making a great living, those aren’t the only positives he attributes to his welding career. Valence appreciates seeing projects through from start to finish. At the end of the day, Valence says, “Welding takes a lot of stress away when the hood is down.” And to others considering a career in the trade, his best piece of advice is simply: “Be the best, and give it your all.”