Excitement Builds for NWTC’s First Welding Rodeo

A community event celebrates local talent and careers in shipbuilding

Northeast Wisconsin Technical College is thrilled to host its inaugural Welding Rodeo. Join us on September 25, 2024, at the Sturgeon Bay campus and October 9, 2024, at the Marinette campus, both from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. These free public events will celebrate the skills of local welders, provide valuable insights into STEM careers, and offer a fun-filled day for the whole family.

Event highlights include:

• Welding Competitions: In teams up to four, welders of all skill levels will have eight hours to craft sculptures from donated scrap metal based on the creative theme: Soar Higher. Participants will compete for awards and prizes in various categories, and all completed sculptures will be donated for a live auction at the end of the day. Proceeds from the auction will benefit NWTC student scholarships.
• STEM Career Fair: Explore diverse career paths in science, technology, engineering, and math. Connect with local industry employers and NWTC staff to discover opportunities and learn more about the growing fields.
• Food and Entertainment: Enjoy a variety of family-friendly activities, music, and food for purchase from local food trucks and other vendors.

NWTC is still looking for welder participants for the competition and advisors to help guide participants along the process. Local businesses are also encouraged to get involved by exhibiting at the career fair, donating funds or scrap metal, volunteering, and entering a team of skilled welders.

Background to the Welding Rodeo

Since World War II, NWTC has collaborated closely with the maritime industry to develop and grow its workforce. In recent years, the College has trained nearly 15,000 new hires and incumbent workers through its North Coast Marine Manufacturing Training Center. NWTC's Sturgeon Bay campus recently expanded its customized training program for employees of Fincantieri Bay Shipbuilding, one of Wisconsin's largest shipbuilding employers.

"The trades industry plays a significant role in Marinette's rich history and promising future. Welding is not just about joining metals; it is about building the backbone of industry, enabling innovation and creativity, and sustaining the economic vitality of our manufacturing community," said Cindy Bailey, dean of NWTC's Marinette campus.

In response to this rising need for skilled shipbuilders, NWTC was awarded nearly $600,000 by the Department of the Navy in a partnership to attract and grow a new talent pool within the region. With the grant and community support, NWTC created the Welding Rodeo.

The annual Welding Rodeo will be held at both NWTC's Sturgeon Bay and Marinette campuses, home to Fincantieri Marine Group shipyards and many other influential maritime employers. The schedule for the upcoming Welding Rodeos are slated for:

• September 25, 2024 from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. at NWTC's Sturgeon Bay campus
• October 9, 2024 from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. at NWTC's Marinette campus
• Spring 2025 at NWTC's Sturgeon Bay campus
• Fall 2025 at NWTC's Marinette campus

"We're thrilled to host this event that celebrates our community's history and highlights the rewarding, sustainable careers right here in our own backyard," Tammy Brunette, Coordinator of NWTC's Learning & Innovation Center in Sister Bay.

For further details about the Welding Rodeo's schedule, how to get involved, and more, visit www.nwtc.edu/rodeo

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