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The Road to the 2025 National Advanced Manufacturing Championship Heats Up
The 2025 National Advanced Manufacturing Competition Series is nearing the end, and boy has this been a great season of highlighting the creativity, skill, and drive of tomorrow’s industry leaders. Starting in October 2024, this high-stakes, multi-round competition brought together 205 competitors from 60 schools across 44 U.S. states and 2 Canadian provinces, all competing with the hopes of chasing national recognition.
The journey began with a remote qualifying round, where teams were sent project kits to complete in their own facilities, and at the end of the round sent their finished project back for judging. Thanks to the support of ZEISS Metrology, each project was professionally scored, and only the top 16 teams earned their spot in the elite Regional Rounds, moving one step closer to the ultimate prize: an invitation to the National Clash of Trades Championship. This year’s final showdown will take place at the state-of-the-art Advanced Manufacturing Facility at Southwestern Illinois College in Bellville, Illinois.
Regional Round Highlights
The Regional Rounds are designed to simulate real-life scenarios pulled straight from today’s most advanced manufacturing environments. Teams were being tested not only on their technical capabilities, but also on project management, communication, and the ability to perform under pressure.
Regional Round 1:
Springfield, Missouri
Ozarks Technical Community College
Teams from Webster High School, Autry Technology Center, and Southwestern Illinois College raised the bar early with standout skills and innovative thinking in a high-energy kickoff round.
Regional Round 2:
Castle Hayne, North Carolina
Cape Fear Community College
The second Regional Round brought together seven dynamic teams: Bucks County Technical High School, Central Alabama Community College, Kevin Dukes Career & Innovation Academy, Suncoast Technical College, Tennessee College of Applied Technology (Clarksville-Dickson Campus), Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology, and Wallace State Community College. The competition was fierce, but camaraderie and a shared passion for skilled trades fueled an inspiring event.
Regional Round 3:
Logan, Utah
Bridgerland Technical College
In the final regional face-off, six teams, including Gallatin College, Great Basin College, Yuba Community College, Minnesota State College Southeast, Everett Community College, and Calhoun Community College, tackled advanced challenges in CNC programming, 3D printing, mill and lathe operations, and multi-axis milling with impressive results.
The Final Four Are Set
Now, the spotlight turns to the National Championship, where these top four teams will compete in a high-stakes, hands-on showdown for the title of 2025 Clash of Trades Advanced Manufacturing Champions.
Autry Technology Center
Central Alabama Community College
Everett Community College
Yuba College of Manufacturing
Who will rise to the top? Stay tuned as we prepare to celebrate innovation, skill, and the future of manufacturing talent, and very soon find out which one of these 4 teams is taking home the grand prize of $100,00 and the title of 2025 Clash of Trades Advanced Manufacturing Champions!
More about our Clash of Trades Advanced Manufacturing Series
What sets this competition apart isn’t just the technical skill on display; it’s the passion for manufacturing, problem-solving, teamwork, and creativity that each team brings to the table. From designing precision components to navigating real-world manufacturing challenges, competitors are pushed to think like professionals in a rapidly evolving industry.
The competition opens doors to internships, scholarships, and direct pathways into careers in advanced manufacturing. Several past participants have gone on to secure positions at major companies, contribute to cutting-edge research, or even launch startups of their own. For many, it’s more than a contest, it’s a launchpad.
In a time when skilled trades and manufacturing careers are more critical than ever, competitions like this shine a light on the importance of training, innovation, and education in the field. They also inspire a new generation to pursue careers in sectors that power everything from aerospace to renewable energy.
Catch the Action in Clash of Trades Season 4 and Get Ready for an Even Bigger Season 5!
At Project MFG, our mission is to empower the next generation of skilled trade professionals. Through high-stakes challenges and expert mentorship, we prepare participants for real-world success.
And we’re taking it even further with our hit reality series, Clash of Trades, back for Season 5! Follow teams from across the country as they battle through each round on the “Road to Nationals.” Missed Season 4? Catch up now on our YouTube channel!
From behind-the-scenes moments to exclusive interviews, we’re pulling back the curtain to show the future of manufacturing in action.
