Yuma, Arizona - During the end of June 2016, Arizona Western College Institute of Welding Technology students attended the SkillsUSA national conference and competition in Louisville, KY and came back as winners.

AWC competed in a number of events against the top college students and teams from nearly every state in the United States and its territories. Students that attended this year’s program represented the top 2% of career technical education students, with the top three in each skill competition being recognized with a gold, silver or bronze medal.  All of the AWC students that competed in this year’s events qualified to receive the national Skill Point award, which is a component of the SkillsUSA work force ready system.  To receive this recognition the students must have completed a series of written test and oral presentations.

This event was the culmination of a year of hard work and preparation by AWC students and faculty working together in preparation for the competition.  These students completed program courses of study while also competing at the regional, state and now the national level to demonstrate that they are ready to join the American skilled workforce.

AWC Student Results:

  • Customer Service 7th Place-Joanna Pratt
  • Prepared Speech Silver Medal-Braiden Campbell
  • Welding Individual Silver Medal- Isaiah Gaspar
  • Welding Fabrication Team Event 11th Place-Aaron Allen, Quinn Ferrall, Pedro Ordaz, and James Veldhuis
  • Welding Sculpture 5th Place-Yvonne Bir

The SkillsUSA Student Chapter Advisors are Professor Samuel Colton and Mr. Larry Lebsock.  The AWC Welding program faculty are proud of their students who have represented the college community so well at nationals.