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February 28, 2025 – Granite City, IL
Granite City, Illinois – On February 28, 2025, Southwestern Illinois College hosted a Project MFG Welding Competition as part of its 2025 CTE Showcase. The event brought together local students from seven high schools, including Southwestern High School, Collinsville Area Vocational Center, Highland High School, Alton High School, Granite City High School, The CAVE, and O’Fallon High School. Students showcased their welding skills and competed for prizes
About the Competition
In this exciting competition, students had the challenge of welding a surface submarine in just three hours! Each participant received detailed blueprints and Weld Procedure Sheets (WPS) to help guide them through the process. The goal was not only to complete the project but also to showcase their welding skills. Contestants needed to follow the instructions closely while demonstrating their understanding of welding techniques, safety practices, and how to handle the equipment.
A panel of expert welders and industry professionals assessed the students’ work. They focused on important aspects like following design specifications, the quality of the welds, structural stability, and overall craftsmanship. The judges also looked at how well the contestants could troubleshoot and tackle any welding-related issues. Every competitor did an incredible job, making it tough to choose just three winners from the group of 18 talented students!
First Place- Serenity Graham – The CAVE
Second Place – Tyler Harmon – Collinsville Area Vocational Center
Third Place – Parket Wendle – Alton High School
The competition not only showcased the participants’ skills but also emphasized the importance of vocational education in addressing the needs of the modern workforce. As industries evolve, events like this play a vital role in shaping the next generation of skilled professionals, equipping them with the necessary skills and knowledge to excel in the manufacturing sector.
About the 2025 CTE Showcase
This was the first year that Southwestern Illinois College partnered with Madison County CTE to host this 2025 CTE showcase.
This event hosted over 60 students from all over the area and offered them a platform to demonstrate their specialized skills across various careers, including Carpentry, Education, Health Science, and Welding. During the event, students showcased their technical expertise, creativity, and professional abilities while competing in events judged by industry experts and educators.
To kick off the event, Director of Madison County CTE, Kaleb Smith, welcomed and thanked everyone from coming and shared his excitement for the days event saying..
Febraury 28th, 2025 winners:
First place:
Serenity Graham
Second place:
Tyler Harmon
Collinsville Area Vocational Center
Third place:
Parker Wendle
Alton High School
Event Photos
about Southwestern Illinois college CTE Showcase
The Southwestern Illinois College CTE Showcase offered high school students a platform to demonstrate their specialized skills across various careers, including Carpentry, Education, Health Science, and Welding. During the event, students showcased their technical expertise, creativity, and professional abilities while competing in events judged by industry experts and educators.
Click to learn more about their CTE program!
Madison County Career and Technical Education System
The mission of the Madison County Career and Technical Education (CTE) System is to utilize Federal, State, and other grant funds to improve programs and enhance opportunities for the students of member schools in an effort to improve their quality of life, workforce success, and lifelong while addressing the needs of local business and industry.
Their Goals and Objectives Include:
- Maintain and Improve the quality of CTE programs in the system
- Increase opportunities for students access and success
- Increase the rate of CTE graduates
Click below to learn more!
about project mfg
Project MFG shines a light on the need and opportunities for skilled trades by focusing on the development of new talent to provide a path forward for individuals and our country. As an integrated workforce development and recruitment effort, Project MFG collaborates across communities, the private sector, and government to expand the U.S. industrial base workforce.
For more information about Project MFG competitions and future events, please visit projectmfg.com or contact marketing@projectmfg.com.
