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October 22, 2024 - Philadelphia, PA
Philadelphia, PA – On the 22nd of October 2024, Philly Shipyard and Rhoads Industries jointly hosted a Project MFG Maritime Welding Competition in Philadelphia, PA. This competition brought together together local students from 15 local high schools and vocational training centers to showcase their welding skills and compete for top prizes.
Project MFG competitions are designed to test the students’ welding skills and their ability to follow precise instructions to complete a project while demonstrating their knowledge of welding techniques, safety procedures, and equipment handling.
Schools that Competed:
Delaware County CC
Thomas Edison HS
Randolph HS
Mastbaum HS
Western Montgomery CTC
Pennock’s Bridge TCHS
Benjamin Franklin HS
Pennsauken HS
Colonial Career Tech Center
Lehigh Career & Technical Institute
Reading Muhlenburgh CTC
Eastern Center for Arts & Tech
Middle Bucks Institute of Technology
Essex County Technical School
Lebanon County CTC
First Place
Johnny Smoker from Pennock’s Bridge TCHS
Second Place
Logan Rutkowski from Lehigh Career & Technical Institute
Third Place
Logan Albright from Western Montgomery CTC
The competition was designed to test the contestants’ welding proficiency requiring them to follow precise instructions to complete a project while demonstrating their knowledge of welding techniques, safety procedures, and equipment handling.
A panel of expert welders and industry professionals assessed the students’ work, evaluating the quality of their welds, the precision of their measurements, and their adherence to safety protocols. Furthermore, the judges evaluated the contestants based on their ability to troubleshoot and solve problems related to welding.
The Project MFG Maritime Welding Competition provided an ideal platform for students to showcase their passion, dedication, and welding talents. The competition also provided an opportunity for industry professionals to identify and connect with the next generation of welding talent, judging participants on their welding skills, safety procedures, and overall performance. Senior Chief Paul Schiro from the Navy addressed the students and spoke about the importance fleet maintenance plays in our national safety.
The competition not only showcased the participants’ skills but also highlighted the significance of vocational education in meeting the demands of the modern workforce. As industries evolve, events like these play a crucial role in shaping the next generation of skilled professionals, equipping them with the skills and knowledge necessary to thrive in the manufacturing industry.
Career Discovery Event
250 students from across Pennsylvania and New Jersey got an up-close look at future career opportunities in manufacturing and defense at the Career Discovery event that took place at the Maritime Welding Competition.
The Career Discovery event was a networking and informational fair showcasing the potential employment opportunities from local manufacturing companies. Students got a chance to talk to local employers in 10 minute career sprints. Employer tables included: Philly Shipyard, Rhoads, Penn Machine, DeVal, Mistras, Cleaveland Cliffs, and NFPC.
While there, Project MFG learned that 6 of the 10 welding apprentices from Rhoads had attended our Maritime Welding event last year! This shows the direct community impact Project MFG brings through their events in connecting skilled trades students with industry partners. These students represent the next generation of PA shipbuilding and we’re proud to have played a part in developing their skills and providing opportunities for them to pursue rewarding careers.
meet the winners
ABOUT PHILLY SHIPYARD
Philly Shipyard, Inc. (PSI) is a leading U.S. shipbuilder that is presently pursuing a mix of commercial and government work. It possesses a state-of-the-art shipbuilding facility and has earned a reputation as a preferred provider of oceangoing merchant vessels with a track record of delivering quality ships, having delivered around 50% of all large ocean-going Jones Act commercial ships since 2000. PSI is the sole operating subsidiary of Philly Shipyard ASA. Philly Shipyard ASA is listed on the Euronext Expand Oslo (Oslo: PHLY) and is majority-owned by Aker Capital AS, which in turn is wholly-owned by Aker ASA (Aker). Aker is an industrial investment company that exercises active ownership to create value. Aker has ownership interests in oil and gas, renewable energy and green technologies, maritime assets, marine biotechnology and industrial software, and its portfolio includes companies like Aker BP, Aker Horizons, Aker BioMarine, Cognite, and Aker Solutions. For more information about Philly Shipyard, please visit www.phillyshipyard.com.
ABOUT RHOADS INDUSTRIES
Rhoads is a multidiscipline corporation that provides industrial fabrication, installation and maintenance for commercial and government projects. With waterfront access at the Philadelphia Navy Yard, Rhoads Shipyard consists of three piers and two graving docks. Rhoads Industries serves the Navy, USACE and civilian vessels and provides a broad spectrum of services ranging from water delivery, electric service, trash, provisioning, and security all the way to complex overhaul and repairs.
