(ONAWAY, MI.) — Industrial Arts Institute is holding its 4th Annual Regional High School Welding Competition on March 6, 2020. Sixty-nine High School students from fourteen area schools will compete for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd places in three welding processes. Competition starts at 8:30 AM and concludes at 1:00 PM with opportunities to win cash awards, scholarships and welding equipment. Students will compete in Shielded Metal Arc (SMAW), Gas Metal Arc (GMAW-G), and Flux Cored Arc (FCAW). All participants will receive scholarships to attend the Industrial Arts Institute’s Comprehensive Structural Plate & Pipe Welding Course once they have graduated from High School. The next classes start August 3rd, 2020 and January 4th, 2021.
“We are thrilled to be hosting our 4th Annual High School Welding Competition again this year. We have created a challenging competition that will recognize high school talent from across Michigan. IAI is especially excited to announce that local representatives from the three leading welding equipment manufacturers; Lincoln Electric, Miller Electric and ESAB, will serve as judges for our competition”, states Mark Dombroski; Executive Director.
High School welding programs from the following schools are planning to participate: Cheboygan Area Schools, Sault Area Career Center, Char- EM ISD; Pellston Public High School, East Jordan Public Schools, Rogers City High School, Wexford- Missaukee Tech Center, Montcalm Area Career Center, Mio-Ausable High School, Onaway Area High School, Iosco RESA Tech Center, Midland High School, Alma High School & Dickinson-Iron Intermediate School District. IAI is Representatives from Lincoln Electric; Zach Miller, Miller Electric; Jereld Sawyer and ESAB; Rob Krause will serve as competition judges for the day.
Thanks to our generous Sponsors, the only cost to competing schools is their transportation to and from Industrial Arts Institute. The materials, prizes, food and equipment costs were all provided by the following sponsors; Purity Cylinder Gases, Lincoln Electric, Miller Electric Mfg. LLC, ESAB Welding , Charlevoix- Emmet ISD, Michigan CAT, Employment Services Inc, Ellenberger Albert Lumber Company, Onaway Chamber of Commerce, Alro Steel, International Brotherhood Electrical Workers-Local 876, Getman Corporation, Manzana’s Restaurant, Subway of Onaway. Tom’s Family Market, Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians, Onaway Custom Embroidery, Moran Iron Works, and Industrial Arts Institute.
The Industrial Arts Institute is licensed by the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity (LEO), a Veteran Approved Training Facility and a 501(c)(3) Non-Profit Organization, offering a premier comprehensive welding program that prepares students for successful & rewarding careers in the industry. IAI programs provide students with the support, knowledge & hands on application to become qualified & employable in the welding & fabrication industry.
Editor’s Note: The Public and Media are invited to attend the competition on March 6th, 2020 from 8:00a.m. until 1:00PM, at the Industrial Arts Institute – 20902 Washington Avenue, Onaway MI
Contact: Tammi Ward; Operations/Student Services Manager | (989) 733-4369 | tward@iaiworks.com
