At 45, Adrian Uriarte Bermudez didnāt expect heād be back in a classroom.
Originally from Nicaragua, Bermudez earned a college degree in journalism and communications. He worked his way up to become a professor and dean of communications at a university in Managua, the nationās capital.
But when the authoritarian government in Nicaragua began targeting journalists, Bermudez had to flee to the United States, where he eventually received asylum.
Heās now looking to carve a new path, and the first step is learning to weld.
āIāve always felt that welding was a good form of work,ā Bermudez said. āI studied how to write, but I canāt really do that here, so Iāve had to reinvent myself.ā
Bermudez is learning welding from local nonprofit Latinas Welding Guild. The organization, which teaches a variety of welding classes, offers some instruction in Spanish so people like Bermudez can learn a trade in their native language.
The guildās efforts are a rarity. Most career training classes in Indy are in English, and often, the only adult education opportunities for Spanish speakers are English language classes, which arenāt necessarily helpful in securing a job.
Students in the guildās classes get welding and safety certifications by the end of the three-week program, as well as hands-on training. The organization also helps students find jobs, especially at companies where there are other Spanish-speaking employees.
For Consuelo Lockhart, founder and executive director of the Latinas Welding Guild, providing welding classes in Spanish is a way to make sure that Indyās Spanish-speaking community has access to the information and resources to be successful.
āWe want to be able to support our community and give them the opportunity that maybe they’re not getting already,ā Lockhart said.
Welding in a common language
On any given night, thereās a mix of Spanish and English being spoken at the Latinas Welding Guild.
Originally, the fall class was supposed to be completely taught in Spanish, but many of the students in the class are bilingual. Some prefer to learn in Spanish, others in English.
As the class got comfortable, the instructors adjusted their approach ā bouncing back and forth between languages to make sure everyone was understanding the concepts in either language.
āYou’re building a little bit of rapport,ā said Rodrigo Viveros, a teaching assistant for the Spanish class and outreach specialist for the guild. āYou start to get an understanding of what they need to succeed, to be able to understand.ā
Thatās helpful for students like Gabriel Ramos. Though Ramos is bilingual, he can better understand the technical maneuvers of welding in his native language.
āItās easier to understand the basics,ā Ramos said. āAny question that I have or any doubt, I can ask the guy and heāll explain it to me. And with that great explanation, Iāll learn better.ā
Since coming to the U.S. from Puerto Rico over a decade ago, Ramos has mostly worked warehouse and forklift jobs. For him, learning how to weld means he can get a job where he can earn more money to support his family.
āThis is what I want to do,ā he said, āSo Iām taking my time learning this, and Iām getting better day after day.ā
As for Bermudez, he hopes that a welding job will give him enough experience to eventually start his own business. He likes the idea of being his own boss.
āHaving your own business is what generates the ability to use your time your own way,ā Bermudez said. āThatās the most valuable thing.ā
One day, when things are better, Bermudez may even be able to return to Nicaragua. While heāll likely never have his old job as a professor back, heās hopeful welding will open up enough doors for him to thrive in this new era of his life.
āI think if one gets enough teaching, you can do more than just get a job,ā he said. āYou can get something that carries you through life.ā
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Mirror Indy reporter Enrique Saenz covers west Indianapolis. Contact him at 317-983-4203 or enrique.saenz@mirrorindy.org. Follow him on Bluesky at @enriquesaenz.bsky.social.
Claire Rafford covers higher education for Mirror Indy in partnership with Open Campus. Contact Claire by email claire.rafford@mirrorindy.org, at 317-759-0249 or on most social media @clairerafford.
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