Central Carolina Technical College students Chandler Johnson and Brooke Jackson placed first and fourth in their respective welding categories while competing at the 42nd annual South Carolina Technical College (SCTC) Welding Skills Competition.
The competition, held this year at Tri-County Technical College, was open to welding students from across the South Carolina Technical College System’s 16 colleges and featured six categories. Johnson competed in Category Two (SMAW Tee Joint 3F and 4F), and Jackson competed in Category Five (GTAW/SMAW Pipe 6G, Carbon Steel).
Johnson’s category involved completing a T-joint using shielded metal arc welding processes in the vertical and overhead positions. Jackson’s category involved welding a six-inch Schedule 40 pipe in the 6G position using gas tungsten arc and shielded metal arc welding processes. The students were given three hours to complete their tasks and were judged on time, quality and safety practices.
“Chandler’s performance was great, and Brooke competed in one of the toughest categories we offer,” said CCTC pipe welding instructor Lucas Bishop. “The competition itself is a great opportunity for students to test their skills against others from across the state, connect with industry partners and gain experience outside of the classroom.”
Johnson is enrolled in the Welding Certificate program and will graduate next summer. He earned a plaque and $1,800 worth of prizes, including a welding machine, for placing first in his category at the competition.
“After judges said the second and third-place winners, I was super nervous but also excited because I was so confident in my welding and all my practice,” said Johnson. “But when they called my name, it just felt like an unreal feeling that I won my first-ever welding competition.”Jackson graduated from the Advanced Certificate in Pipe Welding program this year. She completed the Welding Certificate program in 2025.
“I was very excited and grateful for the opportunity to compete. Words don’t express how blessed I am for that opportunity,” said Jackson. “Even though I didn’t win anything, it was a lot of fun. Plus, it gave me experience of what a welding test would be like for a job.”
The SCTC Welding Skills Competition promotes excellence in welding by allowing students to demonstrate their welding competence and receive recognition and awards for exceptional welding performance. The competition also provides students with opportunities to connect with local welding vendors and industrial companies.
CCTC’s welding department extends its appreciation to Tri-County Technical College for hosting this year’s competition and to the Central Carolina Technical College Foundation for helping finance the trip to the event.
CCTC’s Welding Certificate program is designed to build students’ knowledge and skills in inert gas, oxyacetylene, electric arc welding and plasma cutting techniques. The Advanced Certificate in Pipe Welding program is designed to build students’ proficiency in pipe welding using multiple processes, including shielded metal arc and gas tungsten arc welding. To learn more about CCTC’s welding program, contact Department Chair Axel Reis at (803) 778-7863 or visit cctech.edu.