Photos courtesy of Devin Hollman Devin Hollman is a 2014 graduate of Brocton Central School and the Welding/Metal Fabrication program at Erie 2-Chautauqua-Cattaraugus BOCES. In April 2023, Hollman started his own welding business.

Devin Hollman was 13 years old when he got his first taste of welding.

He would help his dad with small projects around the house, and his interest in the trade only grew from there.

“I wasn’t really proficient at that age, but I knew enough about the welding process, like starting an arc,” Hollman said.

As a Brocton kid, he became fond of older cars and the process behind designing roll cages necessary to race them and later go-karts. The hobby eventually led him to the Welding/Metal Fabrication program at Erie 2-Chautauqua-Cattaraugus BOCES.

Hollman said he learned to hone his skills with the help of his instructor, Kevin Valentine, at the LoGuidice Educational Center.

In the program, students learn welding and metal fabrication techniques, testing and inspection protocols, safety procedures, and the appropriate use of protective equipment.

Hollman credits Valentine for instilling the importance of teamwork and leadership for his success at E2CCB.

“One thing that stuck out to me was teamwork and learning to work together as a large group,” he said. “In my class, we built a trailer, and it was an all-hands-on-deck project. Mr. Valentine taught me how to troubleshoot and fix problems when they arose.”

As part of a team, Hollman competed in SkillsUSA in the Welding/Metal Fabrication category.

“It was a great experience in that we all came together, not only as friends but learning to communicate,” he said.

Hollman graduated from Brocton Central School and the Career & Technical Education program in 2014. Soon after, he joined the U.S. Navy as a Hull Maintenance Technician and worked as a pipefitter and sheet metal fabricator.

After serving, Hollman worked a variety of welding-related jobs. He made sure to befriend employees with a wealth of trade experience and knowledge.

“When I was working for these companies, I would listen to people who had been there for years,” he said. “You learn the most from them if you just pay attention.”

In April 2023, while taking time off work for the birth of his second child, Hollman decided to take all the skills he learned over the past decade to start his own company, Process Solutions Plus. To date, he has done piping work for a handful of companies in Chautauqua County, including Wells Enterprises in Dunkirk and Mogen David Wine in Westfield.

In his first year working independently, Hollman kept the business in the family; his father was a partner, and his brothers were the sole employees.

Hollman acknowledged the long hours of starting a successful business. He also doesn’t want to take on too many jobs that may spread them too thin.

“I think it’s best to start small and grow slowly,” he said.

Hollman encourages patience for students interested in the Welding/Metal Fabrication program at E2CCB. He said learning to weld takes plenty of practice.

“Don’t expect to be the best right out of the gate,” he said. “I would also tell them to take pride in their work and learn from others in the profession. The more knowledgeable you are, the more versatile you can be in the field.”

Career and Technical Education programming typically serves students in their junior and senior years of high school, with students selecting the option to attend an E2CCB CTE program in their sophomore year. For more information, visit e2ccb.org.