Kiski Area welding students show their skills at Weld Off competition

Two Kiski Area High School seniors were among the competitors in the 40th annual Weld Off on Friday, sponsored by the American Welding Society.

Phillip Miller and Nathaniel Potanko, fourth-year students in the welding program at Northern Westmoreland Career and Technology Center in New Kensington, welded for several hours at Steamfitters Local No. 449 in Jackson in Butler County.

The goal of the competition is to promote and recognize Pittsburgh-region students training in the art and science of welding.

A total of 18 welders from secondary and post-secondary schools competed. Any full- or part-time student in a recognized welding program with less than 27 months of welding training was eligible.

Miller, 18, is the son of Kimberly and Richard Miller of Oklahoma Borough. He discovered welding at a young age.

“I took a tour of Northern Westmoreland Career and Technology Center in the eighth grade,” Miller said. “My career goals are to be a steamfitter. There is a high demand for welders, as fewer people are going into the welding field.”

Dave Chiotti, a Pittsburgh AWS board member, said welders are finding ample job opportunities nationwide.

“The demand (for welders) is phenomenal,” Chiotti said. “A lot of people don’t prefer to work with their hands anymore. Everyone wants to be a computer guy.”

According to statistics from the U.S. Bureau of Labor, welders in 2020 earned an average salary of more than $44,000.

Starting hourly wages usually exceed $20 per hour. Chiotti said welders can go on to make more than $100,000.

“You can make more money doing this than you can with a four-year college degree,” Chiotti said.

In 2019, there were more than 439,900 welding jobs in the U.S., and that number is expected to increase by at least 3% by 2029.

Welding job opportunities include shipbuilding and repair, auto body, rig construction, custom car builds and modifications, jewelry designer, boilermaker and industrial.

Welding has more than 30 types of processes. The four main types are gas metal arc welding (MIG), gas tungsten arc (TIG), shielded metal arc (SMAW) and flux cored arc (FCAW).

The retirement of welders, a shortage of skilled-trades workers and a rise in manufacturing are contributing factors to the growing demand for welders.

TIG welding is Miller’s favorite.

“The best part of welding is that it’s hands-on work, and I can constantly be moving,” said Miller, who works part time welding at Cannon Boiler.

When he was a Kiski Area sophomore, Miller was awarded second place in the District Competition for Skills USA welding competition.

The competition consisted of two parts — a written portion testing the student’s basic knowledge of welding and welding tests in the overhead and vertical positions.

The welding tests Friday were on a ⅜-inch plate using a backup bar. They required joint welding procedures with either a stringer or weave bead technique, based on acceptable industry practice.

No grinders or power tools were permitted.

Nathaniel Potanko, 17, of Bell Township works part time welding at Cannon Boiler through the school’s cooperative education program. He first learned about welding in the fifth grade from his teacher.

Potanko is the son of David and Mary Potanko.

He loves TIG welding and said an automobile welding project is his proudest moment.

“Even though you can’t see most of the welds, I replaced and fixed dozens of panels and parts on my 1973 Chevy,” Potanko said.

Potanko said although higher educational pursuits at universities have their place, the trades are important.

“That doesn’t mean it’s for everyone,” Potanko said. “I just love making things, from a simple bracket to big pieces like a trailer or a big steel bumper. The measuring, cutting, fitting and finally the welding — my favorite part — is where I’m at home, not at a desk or computer.”

George Kirk is the welding instructor at the school.

“These are two great kids,” Kirk said. “It’s nice to see the students become so involved in something so positive.”

All participating students will be recognized by the American Welding Society for their quality of welding work that resulted in them being chosen by their peers to compete in this year’s competition.

Winners will receive monetary prizes and trophies.

The following schools participated in the Weld-Off competition: Venango Tech, Pittsburgh Technical College, New Castle School of Trades, Triangle Tech, Penn Commercial Tech, CCAC Oakdale, Eastern Gateway Community College, Parkway Center CTC, Lenape Tech School, Butler County AVTS, Jefferson County JVS, Western Area CTC, Venango Technology Center, Wheeling Park, Monongalia Technical Education Center, Northern Westmoreland CTC and Beaver County CTC.

Each competitor’s welded plate is sent off for X-ray examination. The winners will be announced at an awards ceremony in March.