SCTC Skills USA welding team advances to state competition

Wednesday, March 1, 2017

SIKESTON - The Sikeston Career and Technology Center hosted the Skills USA Welding Fabrication district contest, which brings together competitors from Doniphan, New Madrid, Kennett, Pemiscot, Poplar Bluff and Sikeston.

This was a timed event were students receive a set of detailed prints, raw materials, and three hours to finish it. The top two teams will advance to the State contest at Linn State.

Over 30 students and 10 teams participated in the fabrication contest. Sikeston earned second place in the fabrication event, while Doniphan took first and third place. Judges for the contest were; David Durham and Ron Oller with Praxair and Brett Thompson with Hobart Brothers - Miller.

"It takes a lot of support from your school, community and welding vendors to run a contest of this size," said Brent Trankler, SCTC welding instructor. "All the students came out and had a positive experience, it was a challenging contest that really pushed their limits as welding fabricators."

On Feb. 11 SCTC hosted the Individual Welding Skills USA district contest in which 17 students from the surrounding districts competed, with the top two going on to compete at the state level.

Over $4,000 in prizes and scholarships for the contests were provided by: Hobart Brother - Miller, Lincoln Electric, and Missouri Welding Institute. Trankler expressed gratitude for everyone involved in the Individual Welding and Fabrication contest and their efforts on behalf of the student welders and the Sikeston R6 School District.