National Welding League

Playbook

The Challenge

Manufacturing is currently grappling with a significant challenge: a workforce gap that threatens both productivity and national security. Negative perceptions surrounding trade careers—stemming from concerns about job image and earning potential—have led to a rapid decline in skilled workers entering the field. This shortage not only jeopardizes economic growth but also diminishes the United States’ industrial capabilities and national safety.

Project MFG is addressing this challenge head-on by actively working to elevate the importance of careers in manufacturing and bridge the workforce gap. Through innovative competitions, Project MFG highlights the excitement and potential of trade careers, changing the narrative around what it means to work in manufacturing.

Project MFG fosters an environment of collaboration and teamwork through skills-based competitions that bring greater visibility to the students and skilled workers essential for success in modern manufacturing. These competitions not only demonstrate the technical abilities needed in the field but also emphasize the importance of problem-solving and interdisciplinary collaboration. Competitors are challenged to work on real-world projects, enabling them to develop a diverse skill set that meets employers’ evolving needs.

Through its initiatives, Project MFG is not only shaping a new generation of skilled workers but also revitalizing the image of manufacturing careers. By inspiring and equipping the workforce of tomorrow, Project MFG is playing a crucial role in addressing the challenges facing the manufacturing industry and reinforcing the foundation of American economic strength.

With A chance to win: $10,000 – First Place
$5,000 – Second Place
$2,500 – Third Place

The Competition framework

National Welding League Series Framework

The Project MFG National Welding League (NWL) is a welding-focused student competition that is comprised of 2 rounds of qualifying competitions and ending in an in-person National Championship.

Qualifying rounds of competition are hosted remotely at the student’s school or home institution and facilitated by their instructor, who acts as an “Honest Broker” ensuring competitive fairness. The competition project kits are shipped to the student’s school or host institution. Competition instructions and progress is captured on the Project MFG competition platform online.

Once competitors receive their project material, they will then complete their project according to the Technical Data Package (TDP) consisting of drawings, Weld Procedure Sheets (WPS), and any supplemental instructions indicated in the Project MFG competition platform. The scoring for Round 1 and Round 2 Project MFG competitions will be conducted by the school instructor using the official Project MFG scoring rubric. This process also includes contestant self-assessments, instructor verification, and final sign-off. All data will be submitted to Project MFG for scoring in accordance with the information provided via the competition platform. Additionally, all completed projects must be retained by the student or school until the conclusion of the National Championship. This ensures that, if necessary, a physical examination of the project can be conducted to validate scoring results.

Safety

Competitors must adhere to the safety requirements of their respective school or location. A list of the minimum safety requirements is provided below. Should any safety questions arise or issues encountered, stop work and seek further guidance from your instructor, site supervisor, or competition coordinator.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE):

Appropriate shop attire and PPE must be worn by all competition participants, as well as, anyone on the shop floor. This includes closed-toe shoes, a long-sleeved shirt, and long pants.
Wrist, hand jewelry, and any loose neck jewelry or loose clothing are not allowed.
Long hair must be adequately restrained around rotating machinery.
Hearing protection and a face shield must be worn when using offhand grinding machines or angle grinders.

Working Areas:

All offhand grinding must be done in the welding bays with the shields closed.
Welding gloves and a welding helmet must be worn when welding in the welding bay.
When welding, the welding bay must be fully closed.
Anyone not equipped with the proper PPE may not enter the facility and are not permitted to enter the competition area.

Competition Rules

General Rules:

To participate, each competitor must complete the required waivers and releases.
Competitors are to be ranked on competition performance from best performance (highest overall score) to worst performance (lowest overall score).
Project MFG leadership reserves the right to remove anyone from the competition for, but not limited to, unprofessional behavior, cheating, etc.
Project MFG leadership reserves the right to alter events and/or rules prior to, or during the competition and makes best efforts to notify all members of any changes.
In-person events: Instructors are NOT allowed in the competition areas and are NOT allowed to talk about the project with the student during the competition.

Competitor Requirements:

There is no age requirement.
Current students of a trade training program or high school
Previous first-place winners may not recompete in the 2025-26 competition season. Future National Welding League seasons will limit competitors to competing in one competition season.
Competitors may only compete in either the National Welding League or the Maritime Series each season.

Disqualification:

If a competitor is determined to be using unsafe practices that could cause harm to themselves, others, or the equipment, they may be disqualified.
Schools or individuals discovered to be fabricating additional project kits will be disqualified from the competition.
Violation of any rule may result in disqualification from the competition.

Project MFG reserves final authority for all rulings and rules interpretations.

Materials and Equipment

Project MFG will provide each competitor with one kit.

Competitors or schools are not allowed to copy and fabricate their own kits.
For qualifying rounds, schools/competitors/host sites will provide consumables and the necessary equipment to properly and safely fabricate the projects.

Performance Evaluation

Project MFG competitions are industry recognized skills assessments. Preparing for and competing in these competitions provide practical experience that help competitors succeed in trade industry jobs.

Scoring Scheme:

Each competition round project is scored individually. Competitors who have not completed Round 1 within the specified dates will NOT be eligible to compete in Round 2. The qualifying round scoring of Round 1 and Round 2 will be computed based on data provided by the instructors, in accordance with directions provided within the competition platform.

Competition Scoring:

The scoring rubric assesses skills identified by subject matter experts that best represent industry standards and are designed to measure project execution against those standards and the requirements presented within the competition project.