High school welders compete at Cleveland Community College

Welding and metals students at Cleveland County schools met on Wednesday to compete for $4,000 in scholarships and some new gear to use in their shops at school.

The contest, hosted by Cleveland Community College in partnership with local businesses and the Cleveland County Schools Career and Technical Education department, brought the top welders from Burns, Crest, Shelby and Kings Mountain high schools onto campus for a morning of practical skills tests in the college's welding facilities.

Sixteen students were tested primarily on their ability to do horizontal and vertical welds on two small pieces of metal. Their work was judged by Michael Beaty, of Industrial Maintenance and Automation, and Curtiss Rippy, of Maco Incorporated, who examined welds for smoothness, cracks and bead size.

"These are pretty basic things a welder would need to know if they applied for a job for either one of us," said Beaty. 

While they were there to judge the event, Rippy and Beaty said the contest was also a chance to speak to students about future careers in welding. 

"We are having a hard time finding welders for the companies we work for," said Rippy. "Both of us are always bugging Dana (White, welding instructor at CCC) to send us some welders."

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Top finishers from each school were awarded a $1,000 scholarship for the college's welding program and overall contest winners received new welding helmets and gloves to take home.

Wednesday's contest was the first of its kind at Cleveland Community College, though White said the school hopes to make it an annual event. 

Top finishers

Dustin George can be reached at 704-669-3337 or Dustin.George@ShelbyStar.com.