Del Mar College’s Industrial Technology Department and its Welding Applied Technology Program have scheduled their Second Annual “Día de los Muertos” Welding Competition for Friday, Nov. 3, at the College’s Windward Campus. Last year, organizers awarded $3,000 in scholarships, along with other prizes, to the competition winners about of more than 150 Dual Credit high school and college students who participated in 2022. Organizers of the 2023 competition hope to attract more participants and spectators and are including a car show and career exploration fair as part of the event. (Credit: CRO Digital Services)
SOURCE: Del Mar College Press Release
Get Fired Up! Second Annual “Día De Los Muertos” Welding Competition Lighting Up Del Mar College’s Windward Campus on Nov. 3
Welding Applied Technology Program invites Coastal Bend high schools and college students, along with professional welders, to register for scholarship- and prize-earning competition; event includes industry vendors and representatives as well as cool car show with public invited
It’s time to “get fired up,” again! The Del Mar College (DMC) Welding Applied Technology Program is preparing for their Second Annual “Día De Los Muertos” Welding Competition on Friday, Nov. 3. Faculty organizers invite Coastal Bend high schools and college trades training students as well as welding professionals to “light their torches” and register for this year’s event.
“With the 2023 contest being our second event, the Welding Applied Technology Program is on its way to making the ‘Día De Los Muertos’ Welding Competition a tradition,” says Samuel Garcia, Assistant Professor and competition coordinator. “The event is our way to showcase students’ and professional welders’ skills while calling attention to the field as a very viable career path in the Coastal Bend. And, the competition highlights the local talent we have at all levels, so I hope anyone attending the event as a spectator is encouraged to consider this industry field if they’re considering another line of work and exploring possibilities.”
Registration is currently underway for competitors with entry fees as follows: $25 for Dual Credit high school and college students as well as Brother-in-Law competitors (two-person high school teams) and $250 for welding professionals (minimum of 10 industry welders needed). The deadline for competition registration is Friday, Oct. 27. Contact Samuel Garcia at 361-698-1898 or sgarcia171@delmar.edu for more information, questions, registration and documents related to the competition.
Welding categories include Dual Credit high school student plate SMAW and pipe SMAW; traditional college student pipe SMAW and pipe combo GTAW/SMAW; “Best of the Best” Industry Welder in pipe GTAW; and Brother-in-Law pipe SMAW, which is a new category for high school students consisting of two-person welding teams working off welding rigs or trailers to simulate the welding experience in the field or on location.
Competition begins at 8 a.m. after check-in and a mandatory safety orientation. Competition runs throughout the day with a 3 p.m. awards ceremony. The event will be held on the College’s Windward Campus at 4101 Old Brownsville Rd. (78405) in the Welding Labs of the Metals Technology Building and the Workforce Development Center. Get directions and online campus map.
Last year, the event drew over 150 competitors with organizers awarding over $3,000 in scholarships, along with prize packages for all category winners. Again this year, student competitors have the chance to win DMC scholarships, belt buckles, equipment and DMC gear while industry professionals will battle it out for a “winner take all” cash prize.
Industry vendors will set up in the same location from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. for spectators and competitors to visit and learn about the latest equipment and technology used in the welding field.
Organizers are currently recruiting vendors as well as sponsors. Sponsorship levels are Platinum ($5,000), Gold ($2,500), Silver ($1,000) and Bronze ($500) or a one-time donation of your choice. Interested individuals and companies in the industry can make donations online at give.delmar.edu/weld2023.
Sponsors and vendors also can contact Garcia directly at 361-698-1898 or sgarcia171@delmar.edu. The deadline to sign up as a sponsor or vendor is Friday, Oct. 20.
Organizers are also recruiting car aficionados who want to show off their hot rods to the public. Contact Richard Lugo at rlugo1@delmar.edu to sign up.
“DMC Welding faculty reviewed what the event lacked last year, and we decided to add activities that will entertain spectators while contestants are welding,” Garcia noted. “We added some smaller activities, but we’ve also added a car show because we noticed some of last year’s attendees were attracted to the cars on display while the competition occurred.”
The car show runs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
In addition, the event will include various DMC programs and faculty to engage spectators with career exploration while on the Windward Campus.
“This competition is a great reason to come see what the Welding Applied Technology Program offers, learn about other Del Mar College programs and services and visit the Windward Campus,” added Garcia. “It’s also a great time to cheer for your favorite welder.”
Thinking about training as a welder? The Welding Applied Technology Program offers a Certificate and an Associate in Applied Science degree.
Learn more by contacting Del Mar College’s Industrial Technology Department at 361-698-1701 or visit the Welding Applied Technology Program’s web page at www.delmar.edu/degrees/welding-applied-technology/index.html.