How I got involved in my trade
I’m a third-generation welder, and my journey began in my family’s weld repair shop. In 1998, I took a pre-employment welding course to get started, but most of my skills were built the traditional way, through hands-on learning in production welding and repair shops. About nine years ago, I started exploring metal art as a creative outlet. That spark quickly turned into a passion, and four years ago, I took the leap to become a full-time metal artist. Most recently, I hit another milestone: I bought an old autobody shop and transformed it into my own studio and gallery—Rob Jung’s MetalArt. It’s now my creative hub, a place where I can build, showcase, and share my work with the community.

Why I love welding
What I love most about welding is the ability to shape raw steel into something expressive and lasting. It’s a craft where technical precision meets creativity—there’s something powerful about taking cold, rigid metal and giving it life, movement, and emotion through form and texture. One of my favorite projects has been my Weeping Willow Series, where I’ve created full-size metal figures. That series has been deeply personal and creatively challenging. Each figure tells its own story, and I get to experiment with posture, emotion, and flow—all through metal.

What inspired me
My biggest inspiration to get into welding was my father. Growing up in our family’s weld repair shop, I watched him fix and build things from scratch. Seeing his skill and pride in his work gave me a deep appreciation for craftsmanship—and for the satisfaction that comes from working with your hands and turning raw materials into something functional and strong. Later on, my daughter became a source of creative inspiration. When she was younger, she was always diving into new artistic projects, experimenting without fear. Watching her explore her creativity sparked something in me. It made me want to step outside the box and express myself in new ways—that’s what ultimately led me to metal art.

Opportunities in welding
Welding and metalworking offer a wide range of career paths. You can specialize in areas like structural or pipeline welding, fabrication, manufacturing, or custom repair work. There’s also a growing space for creative careers, including metal art, sculpture, and custom design. As technology evolves, so do the opportunities. Tools like CNC plasma cutters, metal design software, and mixed media techniques are expanding what’s possible in the trade. Whether you’re drawn to the hands-on nature of traditional welding, the creativity of artistic work, or the precision of modern tech, there’s a place for you in this field.

Forging connections: My time at SCNC Regina 2025
I was excited to showcase my newest Weeping Willow sculpture and highlight a different side of welding—one that goes beyond fabrication and into the realm of expression and art. It was a great opportunity to show that welding can be emotional, creative, and deeply personal. What made the experience even more meaningful was connecting with people, especially the next generation of tradespeople. Sharing my story, talking about the artistic side of the trade, and celebrating the craft with others was truly inspiring. Events like the Skills Canada National Competition (SCNC) remind us that welding is more than just a skill—it’s a community, a passion, and a way to create lasting impact.