News
S.C. High School Welding Skills Competition
Mar 01, 2022
[West Columbia, SC] - On Friday, February 25, Midlands Technical College hosted its S.C. High School Welding Skills Competition.
Welding Program Director Caleb Fulwood created the event to generate interest in welding careers. It is one of the most in-demand jobs available in South Carolina and does not require a four-year college degree.
“At MTC, we teach all the fundamentals. Through our programs, someone can come in with no prior experience, and in a matter of months, have the skills they need to fill positions paying $35-$50 per hour,” said Fulwood. “That can go even higher for the best of the best and those who are willing to travel for shutdown work at large facilities.”
Category 1 results | ||
|---|---|---|
| Placement | School | Total Score |
| 1st | Wagener-Salley High School | 99 |
| 2nd | Lexington Technology Center | 97 |
| 3rd | Lexington Technology Center | 95 |
| 4th | Sumter Career and Technology Center | 94 |
| 5th | Anderson Institute of Technology | 93 |
| 6th | J Harley Bonds Career Center | 92 |
| 7th | Swansea High School | 91 |
| 8th | Woolard Technology Center | 91 |
| 9th | J Harley Bonds Career Center | 89 |
| 10th | Sumter Career and Technology Center | 88 |
| 11th | South Aiken High School | 87 |
| 12th | Wagener-Salley High School | 86 |
| 13th | Anderson Institute of Technology | 86 |
| 14th | Woolard Technology Center | 84 |
| 15th | Swansea High School | 82 |
| 16th | South Aiken High School | 82 |
| 17th | Donaldson Career Center | 81 |
| 18th | Donaldson Career Center | 80 |
| 19th | Fairfield Career & Technology Center | 79 |
| 20th | Lexington #2 Innovation Center | 78 |
| 21st | Lexington #2 Innovation Center | 77 |
Category 2 results | ||
|---|---|---|
| Placement | School | Total Score |
| 1st | J Harley Bonds Career Center | 99 |
| 2nd | Lexington Technology Center | 96 |
| 3rd | Lexington Technology Center | 95 |
| 4th | Woolard Technology Center | 93 |
| 5th | J Harley Bonds Career Center | 93 |
| 6th | Sumter Career and Technology Center | 93 |
| 7th | Wagener-Salley High School | 90 |
| 8th | Swansea High School | 90 |
| 9th | Anderson Institute of Technology | 90 |
| 10th | Donaldson Career Center | 88 |
| 11th | South Aiken High School | 87 |
| 12th | South Aiken High School | 84 |
| 13th | Anderson Institute of Technology | 83 |
| 14th | Donaldson Career Center | 83 |
| 15th | Sumter Career and Technology Center | 82 |
| 16th | Wagener-Salley High School | 82 |
| 17th | Swansea High School | 80 |
| 18th | Fairfield | 79 |
In covering the event, The Columbia Regional Business Report noted that the “American Welding Society estimates the U.S. will need 400,000 welders by 2024 as older welders retired. The average age of a welder is 55, with less than 50% of the country’s welders younger than 35.” Full report: "MTC contest calls attention to benefits of welding as in-demand career."
Local television stations WACH, WLTX and WOLO also featured the event on news programs.
Watch “Midlands Technical College host first-ever high school welding competition” from WLTX News-19.
MTC's welding classes provide a variety of skills to equip students for the shipping, automotive manufacturing and repair, and aerospace industries. Learn more about the Welding certificates and degrees offered:
- Welding and Cutting Fundamentals
This 3-semester Certificate provides students with the core skills necessary to become a professional welder. The techniques and competencies developed in this certificate are foundational in starting a welding career. This certificate awards college credit and can be stacked with the Welding Qualifications Certificate and the Associate of Applied Science Degree in Welding Technology.
- Welding Qualifications
This 3-semester certificate builds upon the skills developed in the Welding Fundamentals Certificate. It is designed to prepare students for a career as a professional welder. Students will learn advanced processes and techniques while honing their skills. This certificate awards college credit and can be stacked with the Welding Fundamentals Certificate and the Associate of Applied Science Degree in Welding Technology.
- Welding Technology
The first college degree in welding available in the state of South Carolina, the Associate of Applied Science Degree in Welding Technology is a 6-semester program that combines the Welding Fundamentals and Qualifications Certificates. This Academic Welding Degree Program is an in-depth training program delivered by a staff of professional welders and AWS Certified Welding Educators and Inspectors. Welders who also hold an Associate degree are more qualified to advance into higher roles within the industry.
- Comprehensive Welder
The Comprehensive Welder Certificate is the culmination of the individual Stick, MIG/Flux Cored, and TIG Welding certificates and prepares the individual to work for a wide range of companies in the manufacturing and construction fields.
- MIG and Flux Cored Welder
The MIG and Flux Cored Welder Certificate focuses on the Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW) and Flux Cored Arc Welding (FCAW) processes. In two, 8-week courses you will learn how to use both processes to weld in all positions.
- Stick Welder
The Stick Welder Certificate focuses on the Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW) process. In three, 8-week courses you will learn how to fillet, groove, and pipe weld in all positions.
- TIG Welder
The TIG Welder Certificate focuses on the Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (GTAW) process. In two, 8-week courses you will learn how to fillet and groove weld flat plate in all positions as well as pipe weld in the 6G position.