Welding SkillsUSA Competition is back

The Tennessee College of Applied Technology (TCAT) in Hohenwald is pleased to announce that two of their dual enrollment students successfully competed in the 2022 South Central Regional Welding Competition held on the campus of TCAT Pulaski. Payten Bottoms and Brady Chapman of Summertown High School placed first and second place in last week’s 2022 Regional Welding Competition. Both students competed in the GMAW (MIG) competition. The competition was restricted to high school students, with a total of 19 schools being represented with 76 students competing.

TCAT Hohenwald Instructor, Derick Carroll, commented, “I was so proud of my class this year, as we were able to compete in the Southern TN Regional Welding Competition. I could only choose two students for MIG and two students for stick out of about 60 high school students. This was our first competition since inception of the program at Summertown High School.

TCAT Hohenwald began the Welding Program in cooperation with Lawrence County Schools, with Shannon Watson, CTE Director, and Lain Hinson, Principal at Summertown High School. The collaborative intent was to provide a technical training option locally at Summertown High School in an area of high demand for employment. Prior to the local program, Summertown High School’s juniors and seniors were being transported to attend TCAT Hohenwald or transported to Lawrence County High for technical training. The Summertown High School Welding Program has allowed students to remain on their campus to complete their education. Dr. Kelli Kea-Carroll, TCAT Hohenwald President, worked with principal Hinson to further allow seniors graduating from Summertown High School to come back to complete their Welding education as a recently graduating adult. Most students will only need an additional trimester, no more than two, to complete the Welding Program, which is one year in length.

TCAT Hohenwald is extremely proud of Derik Carroll and the accomplishment of his students. TCAT Hohenwald is looking forward to the future success of the program.