Students from NCK Tech Beloit’s Welding program took home the silver medal at the National Skills USA welding fabrication competition. The competition was held in Atlanta Georgia, on June 19-23rd of 2023. To qualify for the national competition, the students had to take first place at their state competition which was held in the spring.

The welding fabrication team consisted of three students. They worked cooperatively to complete a project from blueprints. They used SMAW, GTAW, GMAW, FCAW/OFC and PAC welding and cutting processes. The team members were Brayden Doughman from Canton, Kansas, Hunter Teasley from Pratt, Kansas, and Josh Uhland from Logan, Kansas. The skills demonstrated in the competition included oxy fuel cutting, welding in all positions, mathematics, layout, and more.

Evan Classen from Whitewater, Kansas also represented the school in the individual welding competition. The individual competition consisted of participants receiving drawings and a set of welding specifications that conform to the most current American Welding Society Standards. Then they were tested on measuring weld replicas, using weld measuring gauges, and more. Evan placed 11th in the nation.