Superior embraces welding careers through high school competition

Superior Industries hosted a welding competition. Photo courtesy of Superior.

Superior Industries hosted a high school welding competition at its on-campus welding training school in Morris, Minn., to promote careers in welding.

This is the second year the company has hosted the event, and the number of  competitors increased by more than 60 percent this year, according to Superior.

Participants came from all over the state of Minnesota, the company says. Students had to complete a timed, dual-application welding assignment in the school’s lab. Judges based the students’ work on proper weld bead placement, uniformity and blueprint reading, among other criteria.

“You can have a golden arm, but if you’re unable to follow instructions according to the blueprint it’s an automatic rejection in our competition,” says Dave Dybdal, one of the instructors at Superior’s welding training school. “At the end of the day, the kids quickly realize the skills they need to sharpen for better proficiency.”

The first- and second-place winners received Lincoln Electric PRO-MIG 140 welders, as well as new welding helmets. The third-, fourth- and fifth-place finishers won welding gear packages, which included educational materials and tools.

“As many people now know, it’s getting harder and harder to find skilled trade workers in America,” Dybdal says. “Our competition is about getting kids under the hood and allows them to see, feel, listen and even smell the great benefits of a career in welding.”