Teens shine in New Hampshire Maritime Welding Competition
MANCHESTER — Manchester Community College hosted a new competition for high school students with a high stakes twist. This first-of-its-kind for New Hampshire event was designed to drive more people into a specific arena of work. Demand for highly skilled workers in welding is already high, but the evolving mission of the US military means 100,000 specially trained welders has become a top priority.
With welcome addresses from Gov. Kelly Ayotte and Manchester Mayor Jay Ruais, the Project MFG Maritime Welding event brought together the local community and submarine shipbuilding suppliers. General Dynamics Electric Boat partner schools competed in a welding competition showcasing and challenging their welding skills. Students represented seven high schools across the state including: Pinkerton Academy, Seacoast School of Technology, Portsmouth High School's CTE Center, Berlin High School, Alvirne High School, Sugar River Valley High School and Spark Academy.
Aidan Tanguay of Pinkerton Academy placed first in the competition. Second place went to Douglas Roy of Berlin, and the third-place finisher was Ethan Douglas of Pinkerton. Both Tanguay and Roy are eligible for an all-expenses paid trip supported by Project MFG to compete in the national finals to be held in June at Ferris State University in Michigan.
Rep. Maggie Goodlander, D-New Hampshire, who is a member of the House Armed Services Committee and served 11 years in the Navy Reserves as an intelligence officer, addressed the group in the afternoon.
The New Hampshire Maritime Welding Competition was organized by NH Manufacturing Extension Partnership, SENEDIA: The Alliance for Defense Tech, Talent and Innovation, Project MFG, General Dynamics Electric Boat, and the Community College System of NH.
This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Teens shine in New Hampshire Maritime Welding Competition
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