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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.
Competitions
State-Level Aspirants
Each year, students from local high school and post-secondary welding programs compete in SkillsUSA competitions. A series of local, district, and state-wide contests decide which two students will represent their state at the national level. Each participating state sends its high school and post-secondary champion to the national SkillsUSA Championships held in Louisville each June.
National Champions At Work
Each year, students from local high school and post-secondary welding programs compete in SkillsUSA competitions. A series of local, district, and state-wide contests decide which two students will represent their state at the national level. Each participating state sends its high school and post-secondary champion to the national SkillsUSA Championships held in Louisville each June.
Shining On The Global Stage
Today, more than 60 countries/regions compete in what is known as the Olympics of Skilled Trades. Every two years, a different country hosts the International WorldSkills Competition. The top finalist from the SkillsUSA competition will have the privilege to say that they represent both the United States of America and the skilled trade of welding at the WorldSkills Competition.
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.
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.