WHEELING – Local students from across the region put their skills to the test during the Wheeling Ironworkers Local 549 Joint Apprenticeship Training Program welding competition Wednesday at the Ironworkers hall, 2350 Main St., Wheeling.

Stephen Sipos, apprenticeship coordinator for Ironworkers Local 549, said welding students from the Belmont County Career Center, Harrison County Career Center, Swiss Hills Career Center, United Technical Center in Clarksburg, Grafton High School and Preston High School competed for the top three places.

The top winners were: first place, Waylon Harrison of Belmont County Career Center; second place, Ethan Tinley of Swiss Hills Career Center; and third place, Cale Willis of Swiss Hills Career Center. They received welding gear supplies for their efforts.

Sipos noted the competition also gives students an idea of what the work will be like and what will be expected of them when they enter the workforce.

“Most of these students have been in a welding program at their local school for several years,” he said. “Some start as early as sophomores. This gives them an idea of what they’ve been working toward. It also gives them exposure to what we offer – the benefits, the pay, and all the different projects in the area that are being built.”

Sipos said he is hopeful that after the students graduate this spring they will apply for the apprenticeship program at Ironworkers Local 549. He said how many are accepted typically depends on the current workload in the region.

“There’s a lot of different things; starting off with the cancer center, the Gateway Center and the possibility of the hotel here in town,” he said. “There are so many different things – we’re going to need to see a resurgence in that workforce.”

Ironworkers perform a variety of jobs, including rebar work, setting structural steel, rigging and bridge work. Sipos said ironworkers even set the ornamental glass at WVU Medicine Children’s Hospital in Morgantown.

Sipos said those interested in entering the apprenticeship program can apply online at https://www.iwlocal549.org/

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