RHINELANDER – A dozen inmates from McNaughton Correctional Center traded prison garb for black gowns and mortarboards as they took part in a graduation ceremony Monday at Nicolet College in Rhinelander.
The 12 inmates had completed a 14-week program to earn a certificate in gas metal arc welding. The welding program at Nicolet is designed to give students entry-level skills required in fabrication, construction, maintenance and other metal working industries.
Among those offering praise to the men was state Department of Corrections Secretary Kevin Carr, speaking by phone after a harsh winter storm prevented him from attending the graduation ceremony. “I want to first thank everyone for being here today to celebrate the amazing accomplishments of these 12 men that they’ve made over the past 14 weeks,” he said. “I am so grateful to have the opportunity so early in my tenure with the Department of Corrections to highlight a partnership and program that has proven successful in educating, supporting and empowering those in our care. “I have a great appreciation for your willingness to try something new and to take concrete steps towards your future. You have a long road ahead of you but this certificate and education will give you the tools to be more successful than we can imagine.”
Among the graduates was Shawn Kaliszewski, age 43, who sought admittance to the program while housed at another minimum-security facility. He was the student speaker at the ceremony. “If you have an opportunity to do something like this, take advantage of it,” was his advice to fellow inmates. “Take it seriously. These programs are set up for individuals like myself. They offer not only education, but job training skills. “Going back out in the world, any one of us, what’s the number one thing that we have to have? We have to have a job. We have to be able to earn a living wage. And it’s this type of program that offers that opportunity. Whether it’s in welding, whether it’s automotive or whether some other program down the road that they may offer different education opportunities, take advantage of these opportunity. Even if you are somebody who thinks ‘I’m not a welder, I’m not going to do this.’ It’s never a bad thing to add another tool to your tool box.”
In comments before the ceremony, welding instructor Peter Kaz praised the men for their accomplishments. Some picked up the welding instruction easily; a few struggled but persevered. “They did very well on their testing; all assignments done on time. It was amazing to see some of their talents and abilities.” Also, no one dropped out of the class. “We all come to a point in our lives where we need to make a change,” he later said in his address to the group. “We have to understand that sometimes change is not easy, no fun. But we have to go through that change whether it’s location or community or friends or whatever. But we need to take that next step. And gentlemen I think you have (by) taking this course and learning that skill that can provide you a very good income and a very good life if you so choose.”
Kaz said the graduates could expect to earn $14.50 to $16.50 per hour on entry-level jobs, with the potential of $20 per hour once they “sharpen their skills” and have some time in the position. While the 12 are the first inmates to graduate from the welding class, they follow in the footsteps of five inmates who completed a mechanical maintenance program at Nicolet last year.
Brad Kosbab, superintendent at the correctional center, said a state grant funded the inmate program. He said another industrial mechanical maintenance program would be offered to inmates this April. Nicolet President Dr. Richard Nelson presented each graduate with his certificate. A reception was held afterwards with examples of the graduates’ skill at welding on display.
