October 23, 2004, Indianapolis, IN - Ivy Tech State College, Indianapolis, held it's first ever high school welding contest under the direction of Mr. Duane Alfrey, program chair.  Sutton-Garten Company, a local welding supply company, along with two adjunct faculty members, assisted with the judging of the competition.   The company also provided welding hoods, gloves, and jackets as prizes.

“The six career centers (five participated) invited to the competition earn dual enrollment credit for their students,” according to Cyndi Stout, Dual Enrollment Coordinator at Ivy Tech State College. 

Students from the five career centers that participated were tested in three skill areas – shielded metal arc, gas metal arc, and gas tungsten arc welding.    The competition provided the students with an opportunity to compete prior to the SkillsUSA-VICA contests held later in the school year.  Mr. Alfrey indicated that Hobart training materials, utilized in his welding classes, were helpful in preparation of the competition.