Welder Amber M. Czech had barely launched what seemed a promising career in the skilled trades before her life was cut short last year at age 20. From a first paycheck working for her uncle’s landscaping business, she graduated with honors from a 10-month welding program at Alexandria Technical & Community College in Alexandria, Minn. “We think Amber was influenced by summers helping grandpa Virgil and her uncle Joe on the farm,” says Czech’s mother, Angie Czech. She adds that encouragement from an uncle, lawn crew colleagues and high school welding classmates helped her cultivate a passion for working with her hands. “Having [her teacher] in high school welding classes who saw and encouraged her passion, ... I believe that positive experience, coupled with only having to go to college for 10 months and being able to earn a good wage, were her selling points,” says Angie. “She enjoyed going to work and welding everyday. She saw it as a long term, good-paying way of life.” On Nov.…