SkillsUSA District Competition

Jan 2025

Goodhart Sons’ Shop Superintendent, Cameron Leakey, recently had the privilege of serving as a judge for the SkillsUSA Team Welding Fabrication district competition. Hosted by Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology, this event brought together six local career and technology centers, each represented by three-person teams of high school welding students.

This year’s competition marked a milestone as the first in-person welding fabrication contest at the district level. Previous years required students to fabricate projects in their own shops, but this event allowed for real-time collaboration and skill demonstration. The project challenged students to demonstrate efficient teamwork, precise communication, and technical expertise as they completed the task within a four-hour timeframe.

Each team had a welding industry judge on hand to oversee their work and provide guidance, ensuring that the competition was both rigorous and educational. Cameron’s involvement as a judge highlights Goodhart Sons’ commitment to fostering the next generation of the skilled trades. By participating in initiatives like SkillsUSA, we’re reinforcing our responsibility to develop the workforce of the future and promoting visibility for careers in manufacturing and welding.

Events like these are more than a showcase of talent—they’re a proving ground for the teamwork, precision, and problem-solving skills that are essential in our field. By supporting and participating in initiatives like SkillsUSA, our goal to inspire students to explore careers in welding and fabrication while ensuring the future workforce is equipped for success.

We extend our thanks to SkillsUSA, Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology, and all the students, instructors, and judges involved for their dedication to advancing our industry.