Welding Competitions
Jump to:
AWS Welding Competition & SkillsUSA Partnership
The American Welding Society (AWS) plays a central role in advancing welding competitions that shape the future of the trade. From local contests to the global stage, AWS sets the standards, provides technical expertise, and ensures that every competitor is evaluated against the real-world expectations of today’s welding industry.
This leadership is most visible each June at the SkillsUSA Championships in Atlanta—one of the largest workforce development events in the world. More than 6,700 state champions gather to compete across 114 skilled and leadership contests. In welding, AWS oversees the competition from start to finish, working closely with SkillsUSA to guarantee fairness, consistency, and industry relevance.
Through this partnership, AWS not only raises the quality of welding competitions nationwide but also helps students connect with scholarships, industry leaders, and career opportunities that can launch their futures.
The AWS Welding Competition website serves as a central hub where educators, students, and industry partners can access resources and stay informed about competitions at every level—state, national, and international.
The latest in 2026
The latest in 2026
AWS TeamUSA Weld Trial Brackets
The road to representing the United States at WorldSkills 2026 begins with six of the nation’s top welders competing in the first of three selection events. Held at Alabama’s Robotics Technology Park, this stage brings together competitors, their instructors, 2026 AWS President Josh Burgess, AWS CEO Carey Chen, and members of the AWS WorldSkills USA Competition Committee. Through challenges modeled after the WorldSkills Welding Competition, the field will narrow to the top three ahead of the final selection in early March—ultimately determining the welder who will go on to compete for Team USA on the world stage.
Poster Competition
The AWS Poster Competition is an integral part of the AWS Professional Program. Graphic displays of technical achievements are presented for close, first-hand examination in the Poster Session. Posters present welding results and related material, which are best communicated visually, as well as research results that call for close study of photomicrographs, tables, systems architecture, or other illustrative materials.
Welding Competition Organization and Weld Assessment
Welding Competition Organization and Weld Assessment
Setting Consistent Criteria for Welding Automation Competitions
The Welding Automation Specialist Work Process Schedule & Instruction Outline (Welding Automation Competition Guidelines or Guidelines) offers a clear, consistent structure for welding automation competitions.
Approved by the U.S. Department of Labor, the Guidelines support instructors, workforce programs, and competition planners with a detailed outline of the skills needed in today’s automated welding environments—from safety and robotics to inspection and tooling.