Event Overview
Expanding each year, the Southeast Minnesota Welding Competition is thrilled to announce its new location at Local 6 Plumbers & Pipefitters training facility in Rochester!
Check out the different parts of the event below!
History of the SE MN Welding Competition
The SE MN Welding Competition was established in 2023 by the Southeast Service Cooperative to address a recognized gap in student competitions and experiences within the advanced manufacturing, trades, and welding disciplines. The event was designed with three primary objectives:
- Skill Assessment: To evaluate the welding skills of students and teachers through assessments conducted by industry experts.
- Student Engagement: To inspire younger students by exposing them to advanced Career and Technical Education (CTE) courses and showcasing their peers’ achievements in welding.
- Career Pathways: To provide in-depth learning experiences for youth interested in these fields, facilitating connections with industry professionals and training programs to support post-high school career opportunities.
Year 1: 2023
- Participants: The inaugural competition attracted 114 competitors from several schools within the southeast Minnesota.
- Venue: Hosted at a local college campus, providing students with a glimpse into higher education environments.
- Highlights:
- Teachers participated in the same, impromptu, challenge as students, promoting continuous skill development and pedagogical enhancement.
- Four students enrolled in PSEO for welding the Fall.
- The event laid the foundation for future growth and collaboration with industry partners.
Years 2-3: 2024-2025
- Growth: The competition expanded to 150 competitors, with an additional 250 youth attending to observe and engage in career exploration activities.
- Regional Expansion: Without direct marketing efforts, schools from the south central and central regions of the state joined the event, indicating its growing reputation and appeal.
- Professional Development: Industry experts and college educators on the steering committee introduced a complimentary professional development training for educators. This initiative aimed to:
- Enhance teaching techniques.
- Integrate new welding skills into classroom instruction.
- Ensure educators remain current with industry standards.
- New Location Request: Due to the growing demand of the event, the steering committee changed the 2025 competition location to Local 6, Plumbers & Pipefitter Union training facility, to accommodate the increased need for welding bays to accommodate more competitors.
Breakout Sessions & Hands-On Demonstrations: These interactive 20–40 minute sessions provide an excellent opportunity for professionals to connect with students on a deeper level. Through hands-on activities and meaningful conversations, industry experts can share insights, answer questions, and inspire the next generation of skilled professionals.
Career Fair: The Career Fair is a bustling hub of activity, drawing in enthusiastic students eager to explore their future paths. Businesses and organizations showcase their industries, career opportunities, and the unique benefits they offer to the next generation of talent.
Breakout Sessions & Hands-On Demonstrations: These interactive 20–40 minute sessions provide an excellent opportunity for professionals to connect with students on a deeper level. Through hands-on activities and meaningful conversations, industry experts can share insights, answer questions, and inspire the next generation of skilled professionals.