Wallace State hosts High School Welding Competition 

HANCEVILLE, Ala. – On Friday, March 13, over 130 high school students from 35 schools across the state gathered for a welding competition at Wallace State Community College to share their skills and connect with possible future career opportunities.

The competition began in 2023 by Welding Department Chair Randy Hammond as a way to introduce high school students to the Wallace State campus and welding program, as well as give them an opportunity to test their skills and compete for prizes.

Judges from the Local 91 UA Pipe Welding Union of Birmingham evaluated the students’ work using standards set by the American Welding Society. Welding Instructor and Certified Welding Inspector Melanie Patterson said judges looked for proper welding techniques, including travel and work angles, travel speed and the ability to correctly set up welding machines. Competitors were also expected to follow diagrams outlining each assigned weld task.

This year’s event also offered new opportunities for students. The Wallace State Future Foundation awarded scholarships for the first time to the top three finishers in the Advanced Category, with prizes of $2,000 for first place, $1,250 for second and $1,000 for third.

“We are very appreciative to the Future Foundation for providing $4,250 in scholarship money to the top three winners,” Hammond said. “We have a great partnership with the Future Foundation, and we thank them for supporting the competition and for supporting future Wallace State welding students.”

During the competition, 10 companies set up booths to share information with students and discuss career opportunities in the welding industry.

Patterson said events like the competition help address a growing shortage of skilled welders by connecting students with employers and encouraging them to pursue careers in the trades.

“There is indeed a tremendous shortage of welders,” Patterson said. “Employers who hire welders and who have been welding for a long time are great at encouraging new welders and explaining how they can have a long and fulfilling career.”

For students interested in entering the trade, Patterson said the welding program at Wallace State can be completed in four semesters and offers a strong return on investment.

“A student can earn an associate degree in welding for about $13,000. In the first year, they could easily make around $50,000, with pay increasing from there,” she said.

Patterson said students who work hard, show up on time and maintain a positive attitude can build a successful and rewarding career in the welding industry.

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