“Once you get that torch in your hand, anything is possible,” says Saxon Gray, full-time welding instructor at Germanna. “Welding is more than just fusing metals together. It opened a lot of doors for me and completely changed my life.”
Mr. Gray got his start in welding over 20 years ago, as he was seeking a way to make a better living for him and his newborn son.
“I was going to school for nursing at the time,” says Mr. Gray. “And though I was really passionate about my nursing career, I knew I needed a job that would financially support my family.”
Shortly after graduating with his nursing degree from South University, Mr. Gray took the ultimate leap of faith into a new career.
“I chose to break into the skilled trades because I knew it paid well,” says Mr. Gray. “And since I’m a hands-on person, I thought welding was the perfect field for me.”
His welding journey began at Piedmont Metal Fabricators in Louisa, Virginia, where he was able to learn from skilled professionals in the field. “They took me under their wing,” he says, showing him the ins and outs of welding. After seven years with Piedmont Metal Fabricators, Mr. Gray was ready to take his acquired skillset and start his own company, S&K Welding.
“Having my own company with access to my own materials allowed me to let my creativity run free. I realized that I could make some really unique things through welding.”
One thing that was of particular interest to Mr. Gray was creating furniture.
After putting pen to paper, Mr. Gray began bringing his visions to life. He and his son worked together to design and build the custom furniture pieces, and they posted the finished products on social media.
“We realized that people were interested in purchasing some of the furniture we made, so this turned into a second stream of income for my son and I,” says Mr. Gray.
Business was booming for Mr. Gray, as his company became more and more successful, and his furniture-making began to take off. With that, he was ready to take his welding career to the next level—by educating the next generation of welders.
Mr. Gray landed a position as an adjunct professor at Germanna, teaching students the basics of welding and educating them on the safety precautions and principles. He loved this role so much that after just 3.5 years, he decided to go into teaching full time.
To completely pour into his teaching career, Mr. Gray turned his welding company over to his son, who chose to follow in his father’s welding footsteps.
Today, Mr. Gray enjoys showing his students the many possibilities that can come from welding and kickstarting their paths to success.
“The most rewarding part about this job is the fact that I’m changing students’ lives. I’ve had so many students who have completed their credential come back and tell me how successful their welding career is going. Knowing that I had a hand in that success really means a lot to me.”
Believing in the potential of his students, Mr. Gray offers each student a position at his welding company after they gain their credential. “I want them to be able to receive that hands-on learning experience so they can further their careers,” he says.
But he doesn’t want them to stay at his company. Once they gain enough experience, he encourages them to branch off and start their own business, just like he did.
“The main thing I teach my students is that the sky is the limit,” says Mr. Gray. “Even if they aren’t religious, I tell them they can do all things through Christ. I want them to believe in themselves and know that whatever they put their minds to, they can accomplish.”
Sax is a very knowledgeable instructor. Absolutely has great communication skills that help understanding a learning easier. I can’t wait to be a formal student.