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North Dakota State College of Science (NDSCS) partnered with the American Welding Society (AWS) to host the annual Behind The Mask competition for high school and college students. The competition, which took place at the NDSCS Wahpeton campus on April 20th, saw ninety high school and college students from North Dakota and Minnesota compete for the top prize.

The competition is designed to challenge each student’s welding skills and to provide them with a platform to present their skills to the welding industry. Behind The Mask is judged by industry professionals who evaluate participants on safety, quality of welds, and the ability to follow AWS welding standards. Students from high schools in Wahpeton, Mandan, Minot, Grafton, Valley City and Fargo, as well as college students from NDSCS, Alexandria Technical College, and Lynnes Welding Training, Inc. all competed in the event.

The competition’s generous sponsors donated all the prizes for the event, which consisted of awards for the top welders in the separate high school and college divisions. All the proceeds from this event go back into AWS scholarships ranging from $500-$2,500 that are available to high school and college students pursuing a welding career. These scholarships help up-and-coming welders pursue their craft and continue to build upon the skills they already have.

The results of the top welders in the high school division include:

• GMAW (wire)
  • 1st – Ben Klemen (NDSCS-Fargo)
  • 2nd – Colton Prellwitz (Minot)
  • 3rd – Daniel Kryvenia (Minot)
• SMAW (stick)
  • 1st – Chantz Delzer (Mandan)
  • 2nd – Caeiton Eslinger (Minot)
  • 3rd – Braeden Olavson (Sheyenne Valley Area CTE)

The results of the top welders in the college division include:

• GMAW (wire)
  • 1st – Jarred Maleska (Alexandria Technical & Community College)
  • 2nd – Shadera Burian (NDSCS)
  • 3rd – Tyler Heida (Alexandria Technical & Community College)
• SMAW (stick)
  • 1st – Dexter Seese (NDSCS)
  • 2nd – Parker Meyer (Alexandria Technical & Community College)
  • 3rd – Colin Lenieux (NDSCS)

“We are excited to have partnered with AWS to provide this unique opportunity for welding students,” said Lee Larson, Associate Professor of NDSCS Welding and AWS Northwest Chairman. “The competition was a great opportunity for students to get feedback from industry experts and gain valuable welding experience.”

The AWS Behind The Mask Competition is a great way to showcase the talents of welders, while also providing an opportunity for students to gain recognition and financial assistance. NDSCS is proud to be a part of this exciting competition and looks forward to hosting an amazing competition at NDSCS-Fargo next year.

The American Welding Society (AWS) has certified the North Dakota State College of Science as an Accredited Test Facility. This enables designated NDSCS Welding Technology faculty to test and certify qualified welders to the nationally recognized AWS standards.

“This designation as an AWS Accredited Test Facility is a tremendous advantage for our students,” said NDSCS Welding Technology Associate Professor Joel Johnson. “Our Welding Technology graduates will now have an AWS certification, which is recognized nationally and even worldwide.”

To become an AWS Accredited Test Facility, the NDSCS Welding Technology department completed a two-year process to develop a Quality Manual, verify that lab equipment meets requirements and obtain Certified Welding Inspector certification for faculty. The final step in the process was an on-site audit by a third party.

In May 2017, NDSCS was awarded a $740,000 National Science Foundation grant to support the North Dakota Welds (NDWelds) program. That grant helped to make the AWS Accredited Test Facility designation possible by supporting the investment of time and money to complete the application process.

“One of the goals of NDWelds is to unify welding standards across the state,” said NDSCS Welding Technology Associate Professor Clint Gilbertson. “Through the Accredited Test Facility, we will be able to provide certification for the current workforce, and partner with high schools to offer certification for their instructors and students.”

The NDSCS Welding Technology program will celebrate its 90^th anniversary in 2020. Additional information about the program can be found online at ndscs.edu/welding.