Fabtech-AWS students compete for gold at welding olympics

By Plant Engineering Staff September 29, 2006

Sparks will fly at the 2006 SkillsUSA Weld-Off, an “olympic” event in student welding. The weld-off, a component of the SkillsUSA Competition, will highlight the 2006 Fabtech International & AWS Welding Show, taking place on Oct. 31 through Nov. 2 at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta.

The weld-off, which is sponsored by the American Welding Society, tests skills on several welding processes and techniques, including plate, pipe, stainless steel, aluminum sheet metal and pressure vessel welding.

Five SkillsUSA student competitors will compete at the weld-off, with only three qualifying to advance to the SkillsUSA U.S. Open Weld Trials, a part of the 43rd annual National Leadership and Skills Conference, taking place in Kansas City, MO June 25-28, 2007.

The AWS U.S. Open Weld Trials winner will receive a four-year scholarship worth $40,000 from the AWS Foundation and sponsored by Miller Electric Manufacturing Co. In addition, the winner will receive a complimentary, four-year, full AWS membership, an AWS certification and up to $1,000 in AWS publications.