No Shortcuts by OWETEC

Ziad Bedran and Nicholas McMillen
  • 0.0 (0)
  • Careers

No Shortchuts by OWETEC Conversations that challenge the welding industryNo Shortcuts: Welding by OWETEC is exactly what it sounds like, real conversations from people in the welding world. Hosted by Ziad Bedran and Nicholas McMillen, each episode brings together voices from across the industry to talk through how they got started, what the work is really like, and what they’ve learned along the way. It’s honest, occasionally off-color, and rooted in the kind of discussions that usually happen behind the scenes, not scripted, not polished, just real insight from people living the trade every day. If you’re in it, getting into it, or just trying to understand it better - this is where those conversations happen.

Episodes

  1. 5d ago

    Leadership and Grit: The S3 Welding Story with Derick Lycette

    What does it take to transition from a hands-on manual welder to a thriving industrial subcontractor? What happens when your first major cross-country contract completely dries up within weeks, and how do you find the grit to keep moving forward? Welcome to "No Shortcuts" by OWETEC, where we dive deep into the conversations that challenge the welding industry.  In this episode, hosts Ziad Bedran and Nicholas McMillen sit down with Derick Lycette, founder of S3 Welding. Derick shares his journey from hand-welding thin stainless tubing in Maine to joining the Army Reserves as a drill sergeant, and ultimately taking the leap to launch his own successful contracting business.  This conversation explores the intersection of technical craft, military discipline, and professional resilience, inviting listeners to see how sudden operational setbacks can become the catalyst for business transformation. In This Episode: Shifting from welding to heavy fabrication: Discover why mastering blueprint reading, assembly, and heavy equipment setup creates vastly more industry opportunities than relying on manual welding skills alone.The impact of military discipline: Learn how Derick’s experiences shaped his leadership style and fueled his desire to make a true impact in the communityThe power of strategic networking: Uncover how connecting with other subcontractors can provide the essential guidance and pathways needed to work with major corporations.Building a reliable team in the trades: Learn Derick’s philosophy on hiring, vetting skilled labor, and why finding workers with the right attitude and a willingness to learn is often more critical than finding someone who only boasts a high certifications list.Managing high-pressure client expectations: Hear how S3 Welding establishes clear communication and operational boundaries with major corporate clients to ensure projects are delivered safely without compromising on craftsmanship. Resources Mentioned OWETEC Services: https://www.owetecllc.com/ About the Founders Ziad Bedran Ziad is a mechanical engineer with over 15 years of experience in various engineering roles. He founded OWETEC to fill a gap in the welding industry by providing specialized training and support to professionals in the field. Nicholas McMillen Nicholas began his welding career at a vocational high school and has worked for renowned companies like Lincoln Electric and Newport News Shipbuilding. His passion for welding and commitment to excellence led him to co-found OWETEC. About OWETEC OWETEC is a trusted leader in welding education, training and consulting, serving industries where precision and compliance are non-negotiable. From the semiconductor and aerospace sectors to biopharmaceutical, oil & gas, nuclear, and food & beverage, we empower professionals and organizations to master advanced welding technologies, optimize processes, and achieve global certification standards. OWETEC is on a mission to transform the welding industry through innovative training and support. By challenging the norms and focusing on quality, Ziad and Nick are paving the way for future generations of welders. Want to learn more? Check out the full podcast episode and discover how OWETEC is changing the landscape of welding training.

    52 min

  2. May 27

    Staying Authentic in the Trades with Bricia Balderas

    Welcome to "No Shortcuts" by OWETEC, where we dive deep into the conversations that challenge the welding industry.  In this episode of No Shortcuts, Nicholas McMillan sits down with Bricia Balderas, a 32-year-old professional combo welder, to map her extraordinary journey from working as a registered nurse to thriving as a trailblazing tradeswoman.  Together, they unpack the profound psychological and emotional resilience required to navigate high-stakes environments like SpaceX and heavy industrial refinery turnarounds.  This powerful conversation explores how to overcome systemic workplace hardships, the necessity of deep personal mentorship, and how to stay anchored in your true identity without conforming to external pressures. In This Episode: Leaving the Comfort Zone: The psychological shift required to trade a stable nursing career for a welding helmet to pursue an authentic passion.The Reality of Industrial Isolation: Navigating the stark cultural differences between the structural accountability of aerospace engineering and the competitive "dog-eat-dog" world of oil and gas fields.Moving Beyond the Failure Blueprint: Shifting your perspective on failure from an ego-driven wound into a constructive, data-driven learning tool.The Power of Standing Up: Why collective advocacy, call-out culture among peers, and active boundary-setting are vital to transforming toxic, discriminatory environments.Preserving Your Authentic Self: Challenging the standard narrative by refusing to mask your femininity or adapt a false masculine persona just to earn professional respect.The Freedom Economy: Exploring the mental health benefits of professional autonomy, specialized trade skills, and financial independence. Resources Mentioned OWETEC Services: https://www.owetecllc.com/ About the Founders Ziad Bedran Ziad is a mechanical engineer with over 15 years of experience in various engineering roles. He founded OWETEC to fill a gap in the welding industry by providing specialized training and support to professionals in the field. Nicholas McMillen Nicholas began his welding career at a vocational high school and has worked for renowned companies like Lincoln Electric and Newport News Shipbuilding. His passion for welding and commitment to excellence led him to co-found OWETEC. About OWETEC OWETEC is a trusted leader in welding education, training and consulting, serving industries where precision and compliance are non-negotiable. From the semiconductor and aerospace sectors to biopharmaceutical, oil & gas, nuclear, and food & beverage, we empower professionals and organizations to master advanced welding technologies, optimize processes, and achieve global certification standards. OWETEC is on a mission to transform the welding industry through innovative training and support. By challenging the norms and focusing on quality, Ziad and Nick are paving the way for future generations of welders. Want to learn more? Check out the full podcast episode and discover how OWETEC is changing the landscape of welding training.

    35 min

  3. May 13

    Challenging the Welding Industry

    What if the most overlooked trade in America is actually one of the most versatile paths to personal and professional freedom? Can a mechanical engineer and a seasoned welder bridge the gap between corporate strategy and the reality of the workshop floor? How do we challenge an industry plagued by myths and a massive labor shortage without taking the easy way out? Welcome to "No Shortcuts" by OWETEC, where we dive deep into the conversations that challenge the welding industry. 🌟  In this inaugural episode of No Shortcuts, founders Ziad Bedran and Nicholas McMillen join host Chelsey Dalzell to pull back the curtain on the founding of OWETEC. They discuss the "no shortcuts" philosophy that defines their training and business model, challenging the welding industry to return to standards of excellence. From the corporate halls to the gritty reality of shipyard welding, this conversation explores why the trade is an art form and how mentorship can change a life.  Whether you are a veteran welder or just curious about the trades, this conversation invites you to look at welding through a completely different lens. As Nick says, "It's about getting back to the weeds of how it actually came to be." In this Episode: The Genesis of OWETEC: Ziad and Nick, moving from corporate engineering to identifying a massive, unaddressed niche for high-level technical training and support.  Bridging the Gap: Why OWETEC was created to fill a specific training niche that even major corporations weren't addressing.  The Skilled Trade Crisis: Unpacking the reality of the 375,000-welder labor shortage and why the aging workforce makes this a matter of national security.  Welding as Art: Challenging the "dirty job" stigma by exploring the hand-eye coordination and mental presence required for nuclear-level pipe welding and aerospace work.  Mentorship and Legacy: The importance of leaving the industry better than you found it through genuine guidance.  Resources Mentioned OWETEC Services: https://www.owetecllc.com/ About the Founders Ziad Bedran Ziad is a mechanical engineer with over 15 years of experience in various engineering roles. He founded OWETEC to fill a gap in the welding industry by providing specialized training and support to professionals in the field. Nicholas McMillen Nicholas began his welding career at a vocational high school and has worked for renowned companies like Lincoln Electric and Newport News Shipbuilding. His passion for welding and commitment to excellence led him to co-found OWETEC. About OWETEC OWETEC is a trusted leader in welding education, training and consulting, serving industries where precision and compliance are non-negotiable. From the semiconductor and aerospace sectors to biopharmaceutical, oil & gas, nuclear, and food & beverage, we empower professionals and organizations to master advanced welding technologies, optimize processes, and achieve global certification standards. OWETEC is on a mission to transform the welding industry through innovative training and support. By challenging the norms and focusing on quality, Ziad and Nick are paving the way for future generations of welders. Want to learn more? Check out the full podcast episode and discover how OWETEC is changing the landscape of welding training.

    40 min
  • 3 Episodes

About

No Shortchuts by OWETEC Conversations that challenge the welding industryNo Shortcuts: Welding by OWETEC is exactly what it sounds like, real conversations from people in the welding world. Hosted by Ziad Bedran and Nicholas McMillen, each episode brings together voices from across the industry to talk through how they got started, what the work is really like, and what they’ve learned along the way. It’s honest, occasionally off-color, and rooted in the kind of discussions that usually happen behind the scenes, not scripted, not polished, just real insight from people living the trade every day. If you’re in it, getting into it, or just trying to understand it better - this is where those conversations happen.

Information

  • Creator
    Ziad Bedran and Nicholas McMillen
  • Years Active
    2K
  • Episodes
    3
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Ziad Bedran and Nicholas McMillen
  • Show Website
    No Shortcuts by OWETEC