Miami, FL, April 15, 2026:  The American Welding Society (AWS) and SkillsUSA announce that Mikala Sposito, a 21-year-old student from Washtenaw Community College in Ann Arbor, Michigan, has been selected as the official United States competitor in Welding for the 48th WorldSkills Competition, scheduled for September 22–27, 2026, in Shanghai, China.

Sposito secured her historic spot by winning the USA Weld Trials at the Robotics Technology Park in Huntsville, Alabama. After three rigorous qualifying events, she placed first overall. Benjamin Cornaby of Utah State University Eastern took second, and CJ Parks of West Side Greers Ferry, Arkansas, placed third. The multi-stage process evaluated competitors on precision, safety, technical execution, craftsmanship, and their ability to complete complex multi-process welding tasks under strict international standards and tight time constraints.

This achievement marks a milestone: Sposito is the first woman to represent the United States in welding at WorldSkills.

Her journey began at age 10 with a virtual welding demonstration at a Maker Faire, sparking a deep passion for the craft. She later won the 2024 SkillsUSA Michigan state championship and dedicated 60–80 hours per week over the past two years to training at Washtenaw Community College under instructor Alex Pazkowski, a former WorldSkills silver medalist. She becomes the sixth WorldSkills qualifier from the college—more than any other U.S. institution—with several past qualifiers now serving as instructors in the program.

“Mikala’s achievement reflects the high standards required to compete on a global stage and shows that excellence in welding is open to everyone.”

Martica Ventura, AWS Senior Manager for Competitions, Events and Conferences

“Competitors at this level demonstrate exceptional technical skill along with the discipline, mental toughness, and consistency required to perform at the highest level under intense pressure,” said Martica Ventura, Senior Manager for Competitions, Events and Conferences at AWS. “Mikala’s achievement reflects the high standards required to compete on a global stage and shows that excellence in welding is open to everyone.”

Sposito will prepare alongside the national finalists with support from AWS and industry partners. AWS oversees U.S. selection by setting evaluation criteria, administering national trials, and providing mentorship and technical guidance to meet global benchmarks.

This selection highlights the strength of career and technical education programs in developing world-class talent for high-demand fields like advanced manufacturing, construction, energy, aerospace, and fabrication. It also signals growing diversity in the skilled trades, inspiring the next generation amid ongoing workforce needs.

The WorldSkills Competition in Shanghai will bring together top young professionals, business leaders, and educators worldwide to strengthen technical education and raise performance standards across industries.

Sposito’s dedication exemplifies the commitment required for success in welding and the rewards of focused preparation.

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About AWS: The American Welding Society is the worldwide authority in the development of standards, certifications and educational programming for the welding, allied joining and cutting community. We are a not-for-profit organization committed to connecting the welding industry to our extensive collection of resources, informing our community of technological advancements and developing the next generation of welding professionals with the help of the AWS Foundation. AWS serves over 60,000 members worldwide, is composed of 22 Districts with 250 Sections and Student Chapters, and includes 3,000 volunteers in over 200 technical committees, subcommittees and task groups. For more information, visit the American Welding Society’s website at aws.org.