On Saturday, April 2, 13 students from the Tennessee Technology Center (TTC) at Chattanooga State participated in the second annual American Welding Society (AWS) welding competition at Sequoyah High School. More than 50 students from the high school level, post-secondary educational level and apprentices from the Ironworkers Local 704 competed.

Jeremy Apple, a student at Chattanooga State’s Kimball site, won first place in the competition. His prizes included a $500 cash prize, a toolbox with an oxyacetylene torch, regulators, and hose. Apple also received AWS certification.

Diana Robinson, a student at the main campus, won second place. Her prizes included $250 cash and an auto dark welding hood. She also earned AWS certification. In addition, three other Chattanooga State TTC students that competed received AWS certification.

To earn AWS certification, the students had to perform several tasks that were each examined by certified welding inspectors. Participants were required to pass inspection for each task to avoid elimination from the certification process.

“I would like to commend all the students that competed for their professionalism, cooperation and hard work during the competition, “ says Garry Holland Welding Instructor.