“I really thought that I was a big deal until I began working and realized that there was still so much to learn. Welding is a dynamic field, and it is exciting because no two days are alike and no two jobs are alike. I recognized early that it was important to listen and observe; no man is an island, so the ego had to go.”
Peter Small is passionate about his job; his excitement is evident when he talks about what he does and how his life has been shaped by his profession. From the quick humbling he experienced after graduating from NESC and taking up his first job at Weldfab, where he encountered peers with remarkable skill in the industry- to the valuable advice on financial literacy and planning freely shared by one of his lecturers; these experiences and many others have positively influenced his personal and professional life.
Born and raised in the quiet rural district of Whiteland, Peter was initially inspired by his father's interest in building and engineering. Fascinated by the diverse applications of welding in everyday life, from cars and planes to cell phones, he pursued the craft wholeheartedly. Peter’s extensive training has included opportunities in Texas and Guyana during his 20-year career as a welder with TOFCO. Today, he is a competent specialty welder whose skill and expertise include the ability to work with various welding processes and materials. He highlights the complexity of the field, working with a variety of materials such as carbon steel, alloys, and specialized metals, as well as the challenges it presents, especially in sectors like offshore platforms.
His expertise has earned him the honour of performing the ‘golden weld’ on key projects such as Cannonball, Savonette, Serrette and Juniper. Golden welds are a source of pride and a demonstration of skill for welders, as it represents the final weld that connects the riser line from the leg of the jacket to the riser line on to the topside of the platform.
Whilst acknowledging that the role of specialty welder is limited, Peter encourages anyone interested to take a shot at becoming a specialty welder once the opportunity arises. His philosophy is that welding is a craft that requires constant learning and professional development to perfect. Peter explained that the field of welding, while somewhat saturated for basic techniques like shielded metal arc welding, still lacks specialty welders for more advanced methods and materials. This gap has which has allowed him to progress in his career through continuous learning and demonstrating high-quality work. For Peter, welding is synonymous with artistry and craftsmanship and each welder's work unique and identified as their trademark. As he explains
“Success in the field comes from combining technical rules and adherence to safety procedures with personal skill and pride in the job being done.”
Peter remains energized and excited about being part of the energy sector, despite the long hours stating that ‘the dynamic nature of the sector doesn’t leave time for boredom or routine’. The challenge, however, is finding the right balance between his family life and the demands of his profession. With a young family to take care of, he is grateful for the financial comfort which his job affords and is thankful for a supportive environment at home and from his team. A strong team backed by a culture of camaraderie is a privilege which he believes is confirmed by TOFCO’s motto to ‘Be your brother keeper’.
Looking ahead, Peter is certain that the energy sector is where he intends to continue contributing; guided by a strong faith and a commitment to safety he advises aspiring industry professionals to ‘remain open-minded, listen to experienced colleagues, and be willing to put in the necessary work to achieve your goals. The sky is the limit; the opportunities are there, but it’s just a matter of how badly you want it.