CENTRAL CITY, Neb. - Sparks are flying in Central Nebraska this week as a summer camp is giving middle and high school students a head start into a career path that's heating up across the country.

The week-long welding camp taking place at Central City High school is the first of its kind, and provides campers with several hours of welding practice each day under the guidance of industry professionals.

The camp introduces students in grades 6-12 to a wide range of welding techniques and gives them a chance to build and take home their own projects.

"We have to have problem-solving skills and I think sometimes we don't always get that in classes but here they have to figure it out and we're giving them the opportunity to do that," said Agriculture education teacher Maile Ilac-Boeder.

Camp organizers set up the event in under four months, and the turnout was so high they had to start planning more events in the future.

They hope to nurture that interest into a growing reserve of future welders.

"So they get kind of a unique perspective where they get to try all the different welds and welding processes. They get to go on a lot of industry tours and we brought in special guests. This is kind of a highlight and to get some different industries perspective as well," said lead welding instructor Alex Stocker.

Each camper received their own personal protective equipment they can keep for future welding experiences.

As the welds cool down with the end of the inaugural event on Friday, organizers say this is just the beginning of an annual tradition, with more camps and events already planned for this school year and next summer.