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National Welding Competition
Student Layne Harmon 1st place winner of Southwest Virginia Section American Welding Society Welding Competition with section Chairman Bill Rhodes.
Kansas City Convention Center
Jackson River Technical Center welding student Layne Harmon and
instructor Jamie Huffman traveled to Kansas City, Missouri during the week of
June 18th through the 23rd to represent Virginia in welding at the 2006 Skills
National Conference. Layne placed 8th out of the 47 represented states in the
high school welding division. There were also 36 states represented in the post
secondary/ college division, which performed the same tasks as the high school
students. Had Layne been in the college division his score would have also placed
8th and had the divisions been combined he would have finished 16th out of 82
total contestants.
Kansas City Royals stadium in the background. Left instructor Jamie Huffman and right Layne Harmon
The Skills Championships is the National-level competition for public high school and post secondary, college and technical students enrolled in trade, technical, and skilled service profession programs including allied health occupations. Skills organize this event and it is considered the single greatest day of industry volunteerism in America every year at an estimated cost of $30million dollars. Skills USA formerly known as VICA, began in 1967 with 3 contests and 54 competitors. It has grown to 84 contests with more than 4,700 competitors, 1500 judges, and 14,000 people all of whom occupy over 685,782 square feet or 11 football fields in size for the week long event. In order to qualify to compete in this event the contestant must be a gold medallist winner from his or her state. They work against the clock and each other in proving their expertise for their occupation.
This years welding competition consisted of submitting a resume, an oral presentation, two written tests, weld sample inspection, blueprint reading, weld symbol reading, oxy-fuel cutting and beveling, stick, flux core, and tig welding. Other factors of their score were safety, following procedures, dress code, and completing their project in the allotted time.
Other events during the week included opening ceremonies with NBC’s “The Apprentice” finalist Kwame Jackson as the speaker, a trip to a lake, a trip to Cabelas, award ceremonies, water park, dinners, industry exhibits, and lots of meetings and competitions throughout the week. During the ceremonies Rubbermaid and Bosch tools each donated $100,000 dollars to Skills USA. Layne’s parents, Dennis and Gail Harmon, attended the events for two days and were able to enjoy many of the festivities.
Layne with his parents. Dennis and Gail Harmon.
We at JRTC are very proud of Layne and as well as the entire 2006 classes accomplishments during their two years in Mr. Huffman’s class. It is unfortunate that only one student from Virginia could go to this competition because there were many JRTC 06 graduates that would have done well.
A summary of Layne’s career competitions and prizes awarded are as follows: 2005 Skills district 4th place, 2005 American Welding Society-Roanoke 1st place ($500), 2006 Skills USA district 1st place (welding shield), 2006 Skills USA state competition 1st place, (Miller welding machine, $200 Lincoln Electric, $100 Arcet welding supplies), 2006 Skills USA Nationals 8th place, (D1.1 code book (350.00), tee shirts, welding gloves, and other Miller and Lincoln Electric reference materials). Layne will be continuing his construction education this fall at Virginia Tech.
Good Luck Layne
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