KAUKAUNA, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – Students from 18 high schools across Northeast Wisconsin faced off Wednesday, putting their welding skills to the test.
It was all part of the 4th annual “Heat Up Your Future” skills competition presented by UA Local 400 in Kaukauna and the Mechanical Contractors Association (MCA).
Heat Up Your Future challenges student teams to complete a pipe stove project based on certain design requirements. Projects are judged on correct dimensions, weld quality and design/appearance, but Local 400 Youth Apprenticeship Coordinator DJ Kloida said creativity is encouraged.
“The students get that experience level of doing something totally different, working in a team. They can choose their comfort level on a process of welding, so it’s not limited to ‘You have to do it this way.’ We leave them with an open base design, so there’s a little bit of an artistic spin to it. They just have to design that base so that rocket stove stands.”
The event also featured a guest speaker, a tour of the Local 400 Kaukauna training center and numerous networking opportunities.
“It’s family, it’s contractors, it’s business, it’s education, all rolled into one cool project,” said Kloida.
Schools which placed first, second and third received prizes. There was also a drawing for a Miller 211 MIG Welder.
Kloida said events like this help drum up interest in local trades and give students a chance to explore interests that could turn into a career.
“Like the saying goes, we needed 30 welders yesterday. At Local 400, we firmly believe in recruiting and educating in paid apprenticeships by the contractors,” Kloida said. “If you like this industry, if you like welding, if you like traveling, if you like a fab shop, or if you like maintaining multi-million dollar pieces of equipment, this trade could be for you. And a contractor is going to pay for that whole education for you at Local 400.”
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