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MAritime WElding 2025 National Championship
Project MFG is proud to announce that the 2025 Maritime Welding National Championship will be hosted at Ferris State University in Big Rapids, Michigan! This year’s competition series has been our biggest and most impactful yet, featuring over 172 high school students from 23 schools across seven states.
With the U.S. Navy undertaking a massive transformation of its nuclear-powered submarine fleet, the demand for skilled trades workers is higher than ever. An estimated 100,000+ trained workers are needed to maintain the Navy’s undersea advantage. Project MFG is answering that call by building a pipeline of future talent through hands-on competition and career discovery events across the country.
The Maritime Welding competitions are more than just a competition, they are a gateway to real-world opportunities. These events connect students with industry leaders, highlight career paths in defense manufacturing, and frequently result in job offers on the spot. Let’s take a look at the journey leading up to the big event in Michigan.
Competition highlights from across the nation
INGALLS SHIPYARD
Philly Shipyard
Pascagoula, Mississippi
Philadelphia, Pennylvaniaa
The first Maritime Welding Competition of the 2024-2025 season was a big success, with 24 students from 3 local high schools, including Alma Bryant High School in Irvington, Alabama; Moss Point High School in Mississippi; and Pascagoula High School, also in Mississippi, showing off their welding skills. It was awesome to see such a wide range of talent and hard work from these students. In the end, everyone walked away a winner, as Ingalls Shipyard offered each participant a job opportunity after graduation. Devin Chanthivong from Alma Bryant High School took first place, and his classmate Coltin Straub came in second. Both earned a spot in the upcoming Maritime Welding Championship.
The second Maritime Welding Competition brought even more excitement, thanks to a great partnership with TMG, Philly Shipyard, and Rhoads Industries. This time, 28 students from 15 different schools came together to show what they could do. The competition was tough, but the skill and shared love for maritime welding made it a truly inspiring event. When it was all said and done, Johnny Smoker from Pennock’s Bridger Technical College High School took first place, with Logan Rutkowski from Lehigh Career and Technical Institute coming in second. Both earning spots at the National Championship.
Tidewater Community College
Hawaii Carpenters Apprenticeship & training fund
Grasso Technical High School
Portsmouth, Virginia
Kapolei, Hawaii
Groton, Connecticut
Project MFG and TMG’s Virginia Talent Pipeline Project (VA TPP) teamed up with Tidewater Community College’s Skilled Trades Academy in Portsmouth, VA, to host the third Project MFG Maritime Welding Competition and Career Discovery event of the 2024–2025 season. The event brought together 22 students from 7 local high schools and CTE centers, and it was packed with energy. On top of the competition, we welcomed around 100 students from the area for a hands-on look at careers in Maritime Welding and Defense Manufacturing. When the sparks settled, Austin Wert from T.H. Badger Technical High School and Thomas Thatch from the Advanced Manufacturing Institute took the top two spots and earned their place at the upcoming championship.
The fourth Maritime Welding Competition took us all the way to the beautiful Hawaiian Islands, where we partnered with Kui Hoa, the Hawaii Department of Education, the Hawaii Carpenters Association & Training Fund, and the U.S. Navy. We brought together 20 students from 8 schools across the islands for an unforgettable event. What made this one extra special was the career discovery event we hosted alongside the competition, welcoming 16 industry experts and employers, plus 150 students eager to explore careers in welding. With Hawaii’s growing need for skilled workers, the goal was to help build a stronger pipeline for the future. In the end, Caleb Robinson from Mililani High School took first place, and Sean Ibarra from Kealakehe High School came in second. Both are now gearing up to compete at the Championship in Big Rapids, Michigan.
Project MFG and TMG’s Virginia Talent Pipeline Project (VA TPP) teamed up with Tidewater Community College’s Skilled Trades Academy in Portsmouth, VA, to host the third Project MFG Maritime Welding Competition and Career Discovery event of the 2024–2025 season. The event brought together 22 students from 7 local high schools and CTE centers, and it was packed with energy. On top of the competition, we welcomed around 100 students from the area for a hands-on look at careers in Maritime Welding and Defense Manufacturing. When the sparks settled, Austin Wert from T.H. Badger Technical High School and Thomas Thatch from the Advanced Manufacturing Institute took the top two spots and earned their place at the upcoming championship.
Providence Career & Technical Academy
Manchester COmmunity College
Providence, Rhode Island
Manchester, New Hampshire
As the Maritime Welding Competition season neared its close, the sixth event brought together students, educators, and industry pros to celebrate rising talent and explore career opportunities in maritime welding, especially in shipbuilding and submarines. Held at Providence Career and Technical Academy, the event was made possible through our partnership with SENEDIA, The Alliance for Defense Tech, Talent, and Innovation, and General Dynamics Electric Boat. 18 students from 6 local high schools went head-to-head in the competition. All participants showcased impressive skills, and the top three walked away with welding tool bags. Cooper Senecal from Chariho Career and Technical Center took first place, with Luis Sousa from Diman Regional Vocational High School coming in second, both earning their spot at the 2025 Maritime Welding National Championship this June.
Last but definitely not least, the seventh and final Maritime Welding Competition of the season wrapped things up at Manchester Community College. Hosted in partnership with General Dynamics Electric Boat and SENEDIA, the Alliance for Defense Tech, Talent, and Innovation, this event brought together 24 students from 7 local high schools. It was a great showcase of local talent and a powerful reminder of how important vocational education is in building a skilled, modern workforce. At the end of an exciting day, Aidan Tanguay from Pinkerton Academy CTE and Douglas Roy from Berlin High School earned the final two spots to move on to the upcoming Maritime Welding National Championship.
Meet the 14 finalists
These talented students have proven themselves under pressure, representing schools from across the country with skill, grit, and determination. Now, they’ll come together in Big Rapids, Michigan, for the ultimate showdown in maritime welding. Beyond the competition, the National Championship will also offer hands-on career exploration, networking with industry leaders, and a glimpse into the future of shipbuilding and defense manufacturing.
Whether they walk away with a trophy or not, each finalist has already earned something invaluable: real-world experience, industry exposure, and a head start on a promising career in the skilled trades. We can’t wait to see what they accomplish next, and who will take home the title of National Champion.
Stay tuned!
David Chanthivong
Coltin Straub
Johnny Smoker
Logan rutkowski
Alma Bryant High School
Alma Bryant High School
Pennock's Bridger TCHS
Lehigh Career & Technical Institute
Thomas Thach
Austin wert
caleb robinson
sean ibarra
Spencer Johnson
Advanced Technology Institute
T.H Badger Technical High School
Miliani High School
Kealakehe High School
Howell Cheney Technical High School
jared minick
cooper senecal
louis sousa
aidan tanguay
douglas roy
Chariho Career & Technical High School
Chariho Career & Technical High School
Diman Regional Vocational High School
Pinkerton Academy CTE
Berlin High School
