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Welding Competition

COMPETE TO BE ELITE!
2026-2027 WELDING COMPETITIONS

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Calling all students who have a growing passion for welding and the drive to become one of the industry’s elite! AGAIN THIS YEAR: TWO COMPETITIONS! During the October 30 competition for high school seniors, Round 1 will be for those who have already graduated high school! The Post-High School Graduate round is for those who missed the 2026 senior competition OR for those who have been out of school for a few years and are now considering welding school.

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OCTOBER 30, 2026
2027 HIGH SCHOOL SENIORS & POST-HIGH SCHOOL GRADS
Registration Deadline: Tuesday, October 20 (t-shirt deadline: October 1)
All participants will receive a $1,000 tuition scholarship and additional top scholarships will be awarded on competition day.

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APRIL 9, 2027
UNDERCLASSMEN (2027 10TH & 11TH GRADERS)
Registration & T-shirt Deadline: Monday, March 15
Prizes awarded to the Top 3 welders.

Competition Rules

 

  • Registration must be completed online, and students can only register ONE time.

  • There is a $25 materials fee for each participant paid at time of registration.

  • Participants must register in the correct age division.

  • Competitors shall wear all mandatory Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). See list below.

  • Students are allowed to bring a welding hood, leather welding gloves, and safety glasses. All other tools will be provided by Arkansas Elite Welding Academy. If a student does not have these items, they can be borrowed from the Arkansas Elite tool room.

  • Only the provided hand tools will be allowed (see tool list below). No electric, pneumatic, or rotating equipment or additional hand tools can be used.

  • Cell phones and/or ear buds are NOT allowed during the competition time. If a student is seen using a cell phone and/or ear buds, that student’s coupon will NOT be considered for judging.

  • Competition rounds are 45 minutes. This time includes a pre-competition safety meeting, practice welds, and the competition weld.

  • Once welding on the coupon has started, no further help is allowed.

  • When weld is complete, an instructor will take the test coupon to the judging area where it will be visual tested by a CWI (Certified Welding Inspector). No one other than judges and Arkansas Elite instructors are allowed in the judging area.

  • Competitors will not have access to their weld test coupon after they turn it in for judging. No weld test coupons can leave the judging area.

 

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and Tools


Competitors should wear and bring the following:

 

  • Leather work boots

  • Cotton or FR jeans/pants free of holes, rips, and/or tears

  • Cotton or FR long sleeved welding shirt free of holes, rips, and/or tears

  • Welding Hood*

  • Leather Welding Gloves*

  • Safety Glasses*

 

*If a competitor does not have these items, they can be borrowed from the Arkansas Elite tool room on competition day.

 

PLEASE NOTE THAT DUFFLE BAGS, BACKPACKS, TOOL BUCKETS, ETC. WILL NOT BE ALLOWED IN THE SHOP. STUDENTS SHOULD CARRY IN THEIR HOOD, GLOVES, AND SAFETY GLASSES AND LEAVE ALL OTHER ITEMS IN THEIR VEHICLE DURING THE COMPETITION.

 

The following will be provided by Arkansas Elite Welding Academy:

 

  • Ear Plugs

  • Chipping Hammer

  • Wire Hand Brush

  • Vice Grip

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