High school welders compete in skills challenge to promote trade careers

High school welding students got a chance to display their talents at a contest held on Tuesday morning.

The event was organized by the Wheeling Ironworkers Local 549 Joint Apprenticeship Training Committee in collaboration with Project BEST.

Top welding students from several area schools competed in a head-to-head skills challenge. The competition aimed to highlight the trade and encourage careers in welding and ironworking.

"Bringing these children into our community shows them the various possibilities awaiting post-graduation. There’s much to be explored in this area. By returning with the students, we aim to ensure a steady flow of talent for the local industry," explained Stephen Sipos, who works as an apprenticeship coordinator at Ironworkers Local 549.

In this setting, students demonstrate the skills they acquired at the high school level by applying them to real-world scenarios. This allows them to experience firsthand what a typical welding certification test might look like when they're working professionally.

The winners of the event will receive brand new welding gear.