News

Read All News

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

 
PlacementSchoolTotal Score
1stWagener-Salley High School99
2ndLexington Technology Center97
3rdLexington Technology Center95
4thSumter Career and Technology Center94
5thAnderson Institute of Technology93
6thJ Harley Bonds Career Center92
7thSwansea High School91
8thWoolard Technology Center91
9thJ Harley Bonds Career Center89
10thSumter Career and Technology Center88
11thSouth Aiken High School87
12thWagener-Salley High School86
13thAnderson Institute of Technology86
14thWoolard Technology Center84
15thSwansea High School82
16thSouth Aiken High School82
17thDonaldson Career Center81
18thDonaldson Career Center80
19thFairfield Career & Technology Center79
20thLexington #2 Innovation Center78
21stLexington #2 Innovation Center77

Category 2 results

 
PlacementSchoolTotal Score
1stJ Harley Bonds Career Center99
2ndLexington Technology Center96
3rdLexington Technology Center95
4thWoolard Technology Center93
5thJ Harley Bonds Career Center93
6thSumter Career and Technology Center93
7thWagener-Salley High School90
8thSwansea High School90
9thAnderson Institute of Technology90
10thDonaldson Career Center88
11thSouth Aiken High School87
12thSouth Aiken High School84
13thAnderson Institute of Technology83
14thDonaldson Career Center83
15thSumter Career and Technology Center82
16thWagener-Salley High School82
17thSwansea High School80
18thFairfield79

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

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