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S.C. High School Welding Skills Competition

Mar 01, 2022

S.C. High School Welding Skills Competition

[West Columbia, SC] - On Friday, February 25, Midlands Technical College hosted its S.C. High School Welding Skills Competition.

Welding Program Director Caleb Fulwood created the event to generate interest in welding careers. It is one of the most in-demand jobs available in South Carolina and does not require a four-year college degree.

“At MTC, we teach all the fundamentals. Through our programs, someone can come in with no prior experience, and in a matter of months, have the skills they need to fill positions paying $35-$50 per hour,” said Fulwood. “That can go even higher for the best of the best and those who are willing to travel for shutdown work at large facilities.”

Category 1 results

 

Placement

School

Total Score

1st

Wagener-Salley High School

99

2nd

Lexington Technology Center

97

3rd

Lexington Technology Center

95

4th

Sumter Career and Technology Center

94

5th

Anderson Institute of Technology

93

6th

J Harley Bonds Career Center

92

7th

Swansea High School

91

8th

Woolard Technology Center

91

9th

J Harley Bonds Career Center

89

10th

Sumter Career and Technology Center

88

11th

South Aiken High School

87

12th

Wagener-Salley High School

86

13th

Anderson Institute of Technology

86

14th

Woolard Technology Center

84

15th

Swansea High School

82

16th

South Aiken High School

82

17th

Donaldson Career Center

81

18th

Donaldson Career Center

80

19th

Fairfield Career & Technology Center

79

20th

Lexington #2 Innovation Center

78

21st

Lexington #2 Innovation Center

77

Category 2 results

 

Placement

School

Total Score

1st

J Harley Bonds Career Center

99

2nd

Lexington Technology Center

96

3rd

Lexington Technology Center

95

4th

Woolard Technology Center

93

5th

J Harley Bonds Career Center

93

6th

Sumter Career and Technology Center

93

7th

Wagener-Salley High School

90

8th

Swansea High School

90

9th

Anderson Institute of Technology

90

10th

Donaldson Career Center

88

11th

South Aiken High School

87

12th

South Aiken High School

84

13th

Anderson Institute of Technology

83

14th

Donaldson Career Center

83

15th

Sumter Career and Technology Center

82

16th

Wagener-Salley High School

82

17th

Swansea High School

80

18th

Fairfield

79

In covering the event, The Columbia Regional Business Report noted that the “American Welding Society estimates the U.S. will need 400,000 welders by 2024 as older welders retired. The average age of a welder is 55, with less than 50% of the country’s welders younger than 35.” Full report: "MTC contest calls attention to benefits of welding as in-demand career." 

Local television stations WACH, WLTX and WOLO also featured the event on news programs.

Watch “Midlands Technical College host first-ever high school welding competition” from WLTX News-19

MTC's welding classes provide a variety of skills to equip students for the shipping, automotive manufacturing and repair, and aerospace industries. Learn more about the Welding certificates and degrees offered:

Welding and Cutting Fundamentals

This 3-semester Certificate provides students with the core skills necessary to become a professional welder. The techniques and competencies developed in this certificate are foundational in starting a welding career. This certificate awards college credit and can be stacked with the Welding Qualifications Certificate and the Associate of Applied Science Degree in Welding Technology.

Welding and Cutting Fundamentals

Welding Qualifications

This 3-semester certificate builds upon the skills developed in the Welding Fundamentals Certificate. It is designed to prepare students for a career as a professional welder. Students will learn advanced processes and techniques while honing their skills. This certificate awards college credit and can be stacked with the Welding Fundamentals Certificate and the Associate of Applied Science Degree in Welding Technology.

Welding Qualifications

Welding Technology

The first college degree in welding available in the state of South Carolina, the Associate of Applied Science Degree in Welding Technology is a 6-semester program that combines the Welding Fundamentals and Qualifications Certificates. This Academic Welding Degree Program is an in-depth training program delivered by a staff of professional welders and AWS Certified Welding Educators and Inspectors. Welders who also hold an Associate degree are more qualified to advance into higher roles within the industry.

Welding Technology

Comprehensive Welder

The Comprehensive Welder Certificate is the culmination of the individual Stick, MIG/Flux Cored, and TIG Welding certificates and prepares the individual to work for a wide range of companies in the manufacturing and construction fields.

Comprehensive Welder

Advanced Welder

The Advanced Welder Program focuses on advanced welding positions and MIG transfer processes. The program is designed for a welding student finishing the Comprehensive Welder Certificate or a welder currently working in the industry and is seeking additional skills to advance their career.

Advanced Welder

MIG and Flux Cored Welder

The MIG and Flux Cored Welder Certificate focuses on the Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW) and Flux Cored Arc Welding (FCAW) processes. In two, 8-week courses you will learn how to use both processes to weld in all positions.

MIG and Flux Cored Welder

Stick Welder

The Stick Welder Certificate focuses on the Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW) process. In three, 8-week courses you will learn how to fillet, groove, and pipe weld in all positions.

Stick Welder

TIG Welder

The TIG Welder Certificate focuses on the Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (GTAW) process. In two, 8-week courses you will learn how to fillet and groove weld flat plate in all positions as well as pipe weld in the 6G position.

TIG Welder