Quick Overview:
october in review
The Qualifying Rounds Have BEgun!
Things are moving full speed ahead as registration wrapped up earlier this month, and shortly after officially kicked off three of our competition series: Advanced Manufacturing, National Welding League, and National Machining League.
Between all 3 of our competition series, we have students from 49 out of 50 states participating. So, truly nationwide, talented welders and machinists have received their competition kits, logged into their portals, and are already hard at work showcasing their skills. The energy, talent, and innovation from coast to coast are setting the stage for one incredible season!
XSTEM EVENT IN HONOLULU, HAWAII
At the start of the month, we traveled to Honolulu, Hawaii, to take part in the 2025 X-STEM Student Engagement Event. More than 200 students from across the Hawaiian Islands attended our session, where they explored various skilled trades in manufacturing, including Additive Manufacturing, Welding, and Machining.
During the session, we demonstrated the capabilities of 3D printing through a hands-on project where students assembled a model of an F-15 Fighter Jet made up of 18 printed components.
On the welding side, students had the opportunity to experience virtual welding using Oculus devices. We were also joined by the Hawaii Carpenters Union, who provided a Lincoln Virtual Welder and offered instruction and demonstrations for the students.
By the end of the event, several students shared that their experience had sparked a new interest in the trades. One participant reflected,
“My experience at the X-STEM Workshop event changed my point of view on welding. I never thought I’d be interested in that topic until now. It was quite a learning experience for me, and I enjoyed the immersive part of it.”
Check Out The Action From LAst Season
National Welding League
This season’s competitors faced a lineup of hands-on welding challenges that put their skills to the test, from fit-up and joint prep to delivering flawless final welds.
The best of the best earned an invitation to Ferris State University to battle it out in the Project MFG National Welding Championship for the national title and a $10,000 grand prize.
Advanced Manufacturing
The Advanced Manufacturing Competition Series pushes teams to think big, work smart, and integrate multiple disciplines, from 5-axis CNC machining and additive manufacturing to metrology.
The journey started with 16 regional qualifiers, but only the top 4 teams advanced to the Clash of Trades Advanced Manufacturing National Championship at Southwestern Illinois College. There, they battled for national recognition, and the ultimate prize: $100,000.
National Machining League
The National Machining League puts high school students’ CNC machining skills to the test, from precision programming to advanced 3-axis surfacing.
Following the qualifying round, the top competitors advanced to Southwestern Illinois College, where they’ll battle it out for the National Championship title, national recognition, and a $10,000 grand prize.
Instructor Resources
Check out offers and discounts provided by our sponsors and partners for instructors and schools.
Feautred on the manufacturing report podcast
In the episode, “This YouTube Manufacturing Competition Takes the Next Generation from Reality TV to Real Careers,” Project MFG’s mission and impact take center stage. The conversation highlights how our national competitions are not just showcasing talent, but are helping students and young professionals turn hands-on experience into real-world opportunities in advanced manufacturing.
The episode features Ray Dick, founder of Project MFG, and creator of the reality show Clash of Trades, and he dives into how Project MFG is inspiring the next generation of makers, connecting education with industry, and helping bring U.S. manufacturing back to center stage.