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Weld Off Competition

Selection Process    Timeline and Prizes Download Instructions and Documents

Timeline and Prizes on the way to World Skills Competition in Alberta, Canada

Competition Promotes Excellence
Student welder competitions effectively promote quality, productivity and the image of welding, one of America’s key production skills. By holding competitions at the local, national and international levels, AWS and SkillsUSA demonstrate their support through encouraging future welders to develop the full potential of their skills. AWS welding competitors exemplify excellence through their knowledge, skill and intense personal commitment.

July 2008 Invite participants qualifying from the SkillsUSA Championships in 2007 and 2008 plus any red shirts from TeamUSA Welder selection process that meet the WSC age criteria. They must complete a questionnaire to be given a competitor number. Up to 12 of the highest scoring candidates from the 2007 and 2008 SkillsUSA Championships will be invited.
Aug-Sept 2008 Contestants will practice and prepare during the PreWeld off phase for the AWS Weld-Off (only the top six will advance to the AWS Weld-Off)

Complete sets of projects (test plates, pipe, AL, SS and pressure vessel projects) will be completed at their home schools. The projects will be sent to various companies around the country for scoring.
Oct 6-8, 2008

(Weld-Off 08) 		Top six candidates from PreWeld-Off will represent their state, school, AWS Section and AWS District at the AWS Welding Show in LasVegas, NV (Only the three medallists will advance to the next phase)
Jan -May 2009 Selected contestants will practice and prepare during pre-trial phase for the USOpen Weld Trials (three have been selected only two will advance to the USOpen Weld Trials)

The top AWS Weld-Off candidate will be given opportunities to travel overseas to represent the USA at various other national welding championships during the PreWeld Trials phase of the selection process.

Complete sets of projects (test plates, pipe, AL, SS and pressure vessel projects) will be completed at their home schools. Judging will take place at various companies around the country.
June 2009 The USOpen Weld Trials at a site yet to be determined will consist of the two SkillsUSA competitors and four international competitors.
July - August, 2009 Concentrated Post-Trial training as required for the TeamUSA Welder that was selected at the USOpen Weld Trials

September 1-6 2009: 40th World Skills Competition Calgary, Alberta, Canada

Post-Trial Training Partners
  • Lincoln Electric
  • Northrop Grumman Ship Systems
  • Miller Electric
  • United Association
  • (list will be expanded as needed)
Prizes

The SkillsUSA participants will receive the following awards and prizes through the American Welding Society: Travel expensed for the SkillsUSA competitors are provided for the Weld-Off and the USOpen Welding Trials.

  • The USOpen Weld Trials SkillUSA Champion will receive a $40,000, four-year scholarship through the AWS Foundation and sponsored by Miller Electric Mfg. Co., up to $1000.00 in AWS publications, and a four-year complimentary full AWS membership. Gold, Silver and Bronze medals will be the only other awards given at the USOpen Weld Trials.
  • At the Weld-Off all participants will receive a $1,000 scholarship for books, tuition, or lab fees, and a one-year complimentary full AWS membership.
  • Travel and lodging expenses will be furnished for the SkillsUSA winner and the winner’s instructor for the trip to Calgary, Alberta, Canada to compete in the World Skills Competition in November of 2009.

Chair AWS Skills Competition Committee:
Ed Bohnart
Welding Education and Consulting
Phone: 920-290-0283
E-mail: erbohn@weldinged.com

Secretary AWS Skills Competition Committee:
Marie Maldonado
American Welding Society
Phone: 800-443-9353 ext. 237
E-mail: mmaldonado@aws.org