125 students from across the state strut their welding skills

WHAT

Santa Ana College Welding Technology Department is host to the welding competition that is part of the SkillsUSA Annual State Leadership and Skill Conference slated for San Diego April 24-27.  The competition pits 125 high school and college students from across the state against each other in a contest of skills, accuracy, and aesthetics in the art of welding.

Students will compete in the general welding category that includes MIG (metal inert gas), oxy-acetylene, shielded metal arc, and TIG (tungsten inert gas) welding. Teams of four welders per school will vie for awards in the fabrication division. Each must fabricate a bridge for a koi pond following specific design criteria. The finished product will be judged on quality, completion, use of materials and aesthetics. A few especially creative students will also participate in the welding sculpture competition category.

Competitions such as this increase students’ enthusiasm for a high-demand job in welding. It is estimated that there is a shortage of 250,000 welders nationwide and that number is expected to grow by six percent by 2020. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, the median salary nationwide is $36,300 per year while welding inspectors earn $40,000-$60,000 a year.

WHERE

Santa Ana College Welding Technology Department, 1530 W. 17th St., K-101, Santa Ana, CA 92706

WHEN 

Saturday, April 26, 2014
 7:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

WHO

According to Clay Mitchell, SkillsUSA State Director, this competition is an excellent example of how business and industry partner with education to boost the economy and prepare students for the workforce. Miller Electric Manufacturing Company and Lincoln Electric have donated state-of-the-art equipment and materials to make this competition possible.

Certified welders, all members of the American Welding Society, will serve as judges.

WHY

This event is presented by the Santa Ana College Welding Technology Department to help advance the welding skills and interest. The college offers an associate degree and a certificate program in welding technology, as well as City of Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety (LADBS) Welding Certification.

HOW

For more information on the SkillsUSA State Welding Competition, please contact Clay Mitchell at (916) 717-1339 or cmitchel@cde.ca.gov.  For information on the Santa Ana College Welding Technology program, please contact George Moreno at (714) 564- 6671 or moreno_george@sac.edu.

About Santa Ana College
Santa Ana College (SAC), which will turn 100 years old in 2015, serves about 18,000 students each semester at its main campus in Santa Ana. The college prepares students for transfer to four-year institutions, provides invaluable workforce training, and customized training for business and industry. In addition, another 10,000 students are served through the college’s School of Continuing Education located at Centennial Education Center. Ranked as one of the nation’s top two-year colleges awarding associate degrees to Latino and Asian students, the college is also recognized throughout the state for its comprehensive workforce training programs for nurses, firefighters, law enforcement and other medical personnel. SAC is one of two comprehensive colleges under the auspices of the Rancho Santiago Community College District. Visit www.sac.edu to learn more.