From school dropout at grade 10 to welding boss at 27

At 27 years old, Nicarlo Lewis is steadily building a name for himself as the owner and operator of Mighty Weld Services, a growing welding business based in Comfort Hall, Manchester.

His journey from a high-school dropout to a certified welder and business owner, supported by the HEART/NSTA Trust Incubator Programme, is one shaped by resilience, skill and a passion he never expected to find.

Lewis told JIS News in an interview that he was first introduced to welding as a grade-nine student at Holmwood Technical High School and it was simply another subject on his timetable.

Financial challenges, however, soon forced him to leave school prematurely in grade 10.

He began working as a welding apprentice, learning the trade hands-on while earning an income.

Although his early exposure to welding was born out of necessity, Lewis did not immediately embrace the craft.

"At first, I didn't want to do welding, but after doing it on a daily basis, I got to have that love. I love to see the sparks and it's just very entertaining," he shared.

Over time, the work sparked more than just metal, it sparked creativity through brainstorming, exploring ideas and developing grill designs.

Determined to improve himself beyond the workshop, a year later. Lewis pursued further education.

He attended Knox Community College, where he studied customer engagement and later earned a scholarship to Northern Caribbean University (NCU) and completed an associate degree in customer service.

His journey later brought him to HEART/NSTA Trust where he formalised his technical skills, earning a Level 2 City and Guilds certification and a Level 3 HEART/NSTA certification in welding.

It was at the HEART/NSTA Trust Newport Campus in Manchester that a pivotal moment occurred.

While completing a practical session in the workshop, one of his instructors approached him with an unexpected opportunity.

"He said that there's a gentleman inside by the name of Stevel McKellop [of HEART/NSTA Trust]. You can pitch your business idea to him and he can help you to get funding. I pitched my business to him and from there everything skyrocketed," Lewis recalled.

That conversation opened the door to the HEART/NSTA Trust Incubator Programme.

The Programme is designed to assist start-ups and early-stage businesses by providing mentorship, funding, networking opportunities and business development support.

Lewis registered Mighty Weld Services with the Companies Office of Jamaica in August 2023 and signed a two-year incubator contract in August 2024.

After developing and submitting a business plan, he received $300,000 in funding approximately seven months later, which he used to invest in essential equipment.

The contract also granted him access to critical workshop facilities at the institution.

Beyond funding, Mr. Lewis said the programme provided guidance that proved invaluable.

"I got a lot of support on how to manage the business, the finances and taxes because I'm going to have to start paying taxes. They helped to keep me on track," he told JIS News.

Through capacity-building sessions, he has strengthened his skills in marketing, branding and financial management, which he now relies on to sustain his operation.

Mighty Weld Services specialises in custom metal furniture and grill work, delivering high-quality craftsmanship across Manchester, St. Elizabeth and beyond.

For Lewis, the most rewarding part of the job is seeing clients react to his work - "when you do the work and the customer or the clients see the design and the beauty and the joy on their face. That's one of the best things that I love about welding," he said.

Today, Mr. Lewis employs three workers - one trained by HEART/NSTA - and two high-school students.

"They're working with me and I'm teaching them along the way," he said, proud to be passing on skills to the next generation.

Like many in the trade, Lewis acknowledges that welding work can be unpredictable.

"Some months it's a bit slow, then some are very busy and hectic," he noted.

Still, Mighty Weld Services remains his full-time focus, with major projects such as residential grill installations.

Looking ahead, Lewis has a clear vision for the expansion of Mighty Weld Services.

He hopes to one day open a small hardware outlet selling welding equipment, safety gear and overalls, with a workshop operating at the back.

- JIS

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