High School Welding Competition

Start your journey to becoming a welder! The High School Welding Competition is for high school seniors who want to pursue a career in the welding industry. You’ll compete to earn scholarship prizes to use toward completing your welding training at Midwest Technical Institute (MTI).

2027 Dates Now Announced!

Welding Competition Location & Dates

Springfield, MO

When: Friday, February 26th, 2027

Deadline to RSVP: Friday, February 19th, 2027

Where: Midwest Technical Institute’s Springfield, MO campus (3600 S. Glenstone Outer Road Springfield, MO 65804)

East Peoria, IL Competition

When: Friday, March 12th, 2027

Deadline to RSVP: Friday, March 5th, 2027

Where: Midwest Technical Institute’s East Peoria, IL campus (280 High Point Lane East Peoria, IL 61611)

Springfield, IL Competition

When: 2027 date to be announced soon

Where: Midwest Technical Institute’s Springfield, IL campus (2731 Farmers Market Rd, Springfield, IL 62707)

Moline, IL Competition

When: Friday, April 2nd, 2027

Deadline to RSVP: Friday, March 26th, 2027

Where: Midwest Technical Institute’s Moline, IL campus (3620 Avenue of the Cities, Moline, IL 61265)

Meet Barrett

1st Place Winner - 2026 East Peoria Competition

We sat down with Barrett to talk about his experience competing and what makes welding something he truly enjoys.

As a senior at East Peoria Community High School, Barrett has been welding for nearly a year through the ICC program and quickly discovered a passion for the precision and skill that comes with the trade. His favorite part? The challenge. From pipe welding to working through difficult angles, Barrett enjoys pushing himself to improve every step of the way.

Out of 51 total competitors representing 16 different high schools, Barrett earned First Place and was awarded a $5,000 MTI scholarship.

Barrett also shared one of his biggest takeaways from the competition: skilled trades are for everyone. No matter your background or experience level, talent and hard work can take you far.

At MTI, it’s about more than just competition…

It’s about building skills, gaining confidence, and helping students take the next step toward their future in the skilled trades.

RSVP

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to register to compete in the welding competition?

Yes, you need to register to compete in the High School Welding Competition. You can fill out this form or call your local MTI campus and ask to speak to a High School Representative. You can also contact a High School Representative directly using the contact information listed at the bottom of the page.

Is there a deadline to register?

Yes, you need to register at least 1 week prior to the High School Welding Competition. You can fill out this form or call your local MTI campus and ask to speak to a High School Representative. You can also contact a High School Representative directly using the contact information listed at the bottom of the page.

What can I expect on the day of the High School Welding Competition?

Registration begins at 7 a.m. and the competition will begin promptly at 8 a.m.
You’ll complete a timed welding project that will be judged by a panel of MTI welding faculty and staff
Your friends & family are invited to watch you compete and enjoy a day of excitment and fun
There will be raffles for welding gear and other items donated by local vendors
Food and/or beverages will be provided
You and your guests are welcome to take a campus tour led by a High School Representative who can answer any questions you have about MTI & the enrollment process
The competiton will conclude with an awards ceremony announcing the scholarship winners

What are the scholarship prize amounts?

In 2026, MTI awarded a total of $110k total in MTI welding scholarships to Illinois and Missouri high school seniors.

The first prize winner of the competition earns a $5,000 scholarship to MTI and a $1,000 donation to help fund their high school’s welding department. Second- and third-prize recipients receive $2,500 and $1,000 scholarships to complete their welding training at MTI.

All competition participants receive a $500 MTI scholarship.

High School Representative Contact Info

Note: Midwest Technical Institute, Inc. (MTI), together with its Delta Technical College (DTC) division offer the Welding Competition Scholarship Program to promote ongoing commitment to skilled trade education. All scholarships awarded through the Welding Competition must be used at one of our MTI or DTC campus locations. Scholarships cannot be exchanged for cash. See official terms and conditions for details.