Welding opportunity

HOTWORK — Decatur’s Jacoby Read welds a table in the parking lot at Yellowjacket Stadium in Boyd during the recent Wise County Weld-Off. Bridgeport, bottom left, took first in the outdoors competition. The Decatur team of Dalton Edgar, Hayden Taylor, Anthony Salas Mederes and Omar Martinez, bottom right, won the overall skills challenge.

Gadiel Sanchez skillfully worked the flame over the thin piece of metal in the Boyd High School shop Friday.

The Slidell student carefully tried to make a perfect weld under pressure.

“It feels a little scary with 60 other people here,” Sanchez said.

Sanchez and five dozen of region’s best high school craftsmen, representing 11 schools competed in the Wise County Weld-Off in Boyd.

The teams competed in the parking lot, welding a table. Teams and individuals also went into the shop to show their skills in various techniques, including shielded metal arc welding and metal inert gas welding.

“This is a great place to compete and show what they’ve learned,” said Dusty Naumann, the Decatur High School FFA advisor and career and technology chair. “These events have taken off across the state. Even at the state contest, this is part of the program.”

Decatur captured the overall skills competition, finishing ahead of Boyd and Slidell. The Bridgeport squad won the table fabricating contest.

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“I’m proud of our school. The teachers we’ve had have helped us through the hardships. Through the semester we’ve gotten better,” said Decatur’s Anthony Salas, who won an individual award along with the team title.

Salas plans to pursue a career in the trade.

“There’s some good job opportunities and lots of opportunities to make money,” he said.

The competition was judged by a panel, including former Paradise High School ag teacher and Russell Feed manager Steve Bradshaw and Weatherford College Wise County ag teacher Hank Petters. The judges offered praise and encouragement for the competitors.

“Never stop learning in this industry,” Petters said. “The more you learn and improve your skill set, the more you will make.”

Along with organizing the competition, Boyd Ag Teacher Brian Rawlings invited several welding and fabrication companies looking to hire workers.

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“You couldn’t ask for a better target group with enthusiasm for this industry,” Rawlings said.

Representatives from the companies and Paul Stanglin of the American Welding Society said they are desperate for workers with the students’ skills.

“There’s a shortage of welders in this country. We’ll be 375,000 welders short by 2023,” Stanglin said.

Rick Elmore of Holt Cat said his company has 265 openings for skilled employees in the area.

“You are in an industry that is screaming for your skill set,” Elmore said. “We need help. We’d love to have you. Upon graduation, we can bring you into a location and bring you on board. Everyone is looking for help.”

Jose Solis of Mac Trailers added: “If I had 40 sign up, I’d hire all 40. We have a shortage of welders.”

Lee Jack Tippen of Tippen Steel in Boyd also said the stress on the industry is only going to grow.

“There is a shortage of skilled labor and a lot in the industry are reaching retirement age,” Tippen said. “There’s going to be a void.