Press Releases

The American Welding Society (AWS) Foundation, Bechtel Group Foundation, and Miller Electric Manufacturing, LLC, have partnered to bring the welding experience back to high school with the Light a Spark Grant. 

“The AWS Foundation is proud to offer welding equipment kits to high schools that do not currently offer a welding program or class, thus providing hundreds of students the opportunity to experience welding for the first time and consider the possibility of welding as a career,” said Monica Pfarr, AWS Foundation Executive Director. 

The Light a Spark Grant is a turnkey package designed to introduce welding into an existing secondary or post-secondary Ag-Ed, Career and Technical Education, STEM, or Practical Skills Course. Up to 10 starter packages valued at more than $14,000 each will be awarded. Each welding equipment starter pack includes the following (subject to change):

• MobileArc™ Augmented Reality Welding System
• Miller Multimatic 220 AC/DC Powersource - ability to perform GTAW, GTAW-P, GMAW, FCAW & SMAW welding processes
• Miller Spectrum 375 Plasma cutter
• Oxy-Fuel Cutting Pack; including regulators, cutting & heating tips
• SMAW, GMAW, & GTAW whips with consumable kit
• Welding Cart, Arcstation welding table, and safety screens
• PPE & Hand tools; including welding gloves, jacket, auto darkening helmet, face shield, chipping hammer, wire brush, and more

“Miller is committed to advancing the craft of welding through training and education," said Justin Blount, Group President, ITW Miller. "We are proud to partner with the AWS Foundation to provide these schools with the equipment and supplies needed to introduce their students to the craft of welding.” 

“These kits make it easy for educators to offer realistic learning experiences and position students for success in trade schools, community colleges, and university programs,” said LeeAnne Lang, President of Bechtel Group Foundation.

Applications for the grant are being accepted through March 15, 2023. Learn more and apply at aws.org/sparkgrant. 

The Light a Spark Grant is not intended for secondary or post-secondary schools with an existing welding program or course.

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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 members of technological advancements and developing the next generation of welding professionals with the help of the AWS Foundation. AWS serves nearly 70,000 members worldwide and is composed of 22 Districts with 250 Sections and Student Chapters. For more information, visit the American Welding Society's website at aws.org. 

About Miller: Miller Electric Mfg. LLC, headquartered in Appleton, Wisconsin, is a leading worldwide manufacturer of Miller® brand arc welding products and is a wholly owned subsidiary of Illinois Tool Works, Inc. (NYSE: ITW). For more information, visit MillerWelds.com, call 1-800-4-A-Miller (800-426- 4553), email info@millerwelds.com, fax 877-327-8132, or write to Miller Electric Mfg. LLC, P.O. Box 100, Lithonia, GA 30058. 

About Bechtel Group Foundation: Bechtel Group Foundation helps students worldwide succeed in their science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) studies. The Foundation was created in 1954 by Bechtel, a trusted engineering, construction, and project management partner to industry and government. Differentiated by the quality of our people and our relentless drive to deliver the most successful outcomes, we align our capabilities to our customers’ objectives to create a lasting positive impact. Since 1898, we have helped customers complete more than 25,000 projects in 160 countries on all seven continents that have created jobs, grown economies, improved the resiliency of the world's infrastructure, increased access to energy, resources, and vital services, and made the world a safer, cleaner place. www.bechtel.com

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