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May 7, 2021 @ 9:00 am - 4:00 pm

New Hampshire students who are handy in the welding shop are being challenged to showcase their best techniques in a competition to test the mettle of young people exploring careers in the welding industry.

Welding competitions will be held Friday, May 7 at 9:00 am at White Mountains Community College (WMCC) in Berlin and Novel Iron Works in Greenland. Organizers hope the event will raise awareness about this line of work and encourage more young people to explore this in-demand career field.

“The competitions will challenge students in four different welding skills, which are the very skills needed in this vibrant work sector, so it’s both fun and relevant,” said Heather Wells, associate professor of welding at WMCC and one of the event’s organizers. “It takes a steady hand, good technique and precision to do this job well. But it’s also a lot of fun working in this industry and that’s what we hope to showcase this spring.”

Welding stations will each take roughly 90 minutes to complete, and students can participate in the following tests: Oxy-Fuel Cutting, Gas Tungsten Arc Welding, Gas Metal Arc Welding and Shielded Metal Arc Welding. Students will also sit for a written exam that covers basic welding and cutting theory. Participants need only have taken or be currently enrolled in Welding II programs in the state.

Students from Berlin and Littleton High School along with students from Lakes Region Technology Center will join the welding competition. It is expected that upwards of 35 students between both competition sites will compete for bragging rights and scholarship dollars to help pay for their welding classes. Top winners will be invited to a state championship, an event being planned for the near future.

“This is a great opportunity to highlight the skills of the students while providing opportunity to win scholarship awards to our Community College System of NH’s highly technical and advanced Welding programs. CCSNH has been a valuable partner for our industry in helping to address the critical shortage of skilled welders in our state,” said Hollie Noveletsky, Owner/CEO, Novel Iron Works. “We are looking forward to hosting the next generation of skilled welders here at Novel and highlighting this in-demand career path.”

Local businesses are hoping the competition is a magnet for young people, and owners are investing time and energy in making this a fun event, hoping to recruit new employees.

The competition at WMCC is being co-sponsored by Capone Iron Corporation and the Seacoast Regional competition is co-sponsored by Great Bay Community College and ArcSource will be held at Novel’s facilities.

Opening ceremonies for both locations will be held virtually through a zoom platform, and the public is invited to watch and see highlights of the competitions as well as the closing awards ceremonies.

To learn more contact Heather Wells, [email protected]

Details

Date:
May 7, 2021
Time:
9:00 am - 4:00 pm

Venue

WMCC Berlin Campus
2020 Riverside Drive
Berlin, NH 03570 United States
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Phone
(603) 752-1113