Jose Garcia Lopez of Colquitt County High School was one of four winners of a full scholarship to Tulsa Welding School.

PHOENIX – Tulsa Welding School concluded its 2024 “Weld-to-Win” competitions across the US, awarding four full-tuition scholarships to students who demonstrated exceptional welding skills. Colquitt County High School student Jose Garcia Lopez received one of the scholarships.

High school students who have completed a welding class at a vocational or high school were invited to participate in the annual competition. Each of the four first-place winners received full-tuition scholarships for the welding program at Tulsa Welding School.

The competitions took place over four months at each of Tulsa Welding School’s four campuses in Tulsa, Oklahoma; Jacksonville, Florida; Houston, Texas and Irving, Texas. More than 400 students competed across all four competitions. Students were tested on a variety of skills, including stick welding and blueprint reading. Partial tuition scholarships were also awarded to second- and third-place winners, while each participating student received a $500 tuition allowance to any Tulsa Welding School campus or The Refrigeration School, Inc.

“The skilled trades industry is facing a growing need for talented welders,” said Mary Kelly, president and CEO of StrataTech Education Group, parent company of Tulsa Welding School. “Fortunately, the students who participated in this year’s competitions showcased incredible talent at their level and we’re so excited to welcome them to Tulsa Welding School, where they can hone their craft before entering a demanding and thriving workforce.”

Gen Z students are showing increasing interest in trade schools as enrollment in vocational training programs surges, Tulsa Welding School said in a press release. The number of students enrolled in vocational-focused community colleges rose 16% last year to its highest level since the National Student Clearinghouse began tracking such data in 2018.

The “Weld-to-Win” competitions are part of StrataTech’s larger efforts to support high school seniors by providing opportunities, awareness and resources to help them pursue training and careers as skilled trades professionals, the press release said.

Tulsa Welding School provides many resources for students to pursue their education, including financial resources such as scholarships, grants and financial aid for those who qualify, housing assistance, part-time job assistance and career services to help them find a job post-graduation. Instructors who have worked in the field act as mentors for students and campus ambassadors are on-site to help students navigate the transition from high school to career.