黑料网 welding student wins silver in international competition
黑料网 student Alex Pazkowski won a Silver Medal in the 42nd WorldSkills International Welding competition recently held in Leipzig. Germany. Pazkowski represented both 黑料网 and the United States in the prestigious international competition.
The WorldSkills International competition has become a globally recognized means of comparing world-class competency standards in the industrial trades and services sector of the economy. With more than 50 member countries and regions participating in this WorldSkills event, Pazkowski had the opportunity to compete against some of the best welders in the world.
鈥淚 prepared for the WorldSkills International competition in much the same manner as I have for other competitions: practice, practice, practice,鈥� said Pazkowski.
Because he is left handed, a weld project鈥檚 symmetry makes a huge difference when Pazkowski is welding against right-handed challengers.
鈥淔ortunately for me, they changed all of the welds on the pressure vessel to favor a left-handed welder. So I felt extremely comfortable going into competition the second day,鈥� Pazkowski said. 鈥淭hey also took away half of the welding booths this year in an effort to go green. This resulted in shift changes halfway through each day, which added a little extra strategy and change to my competition.鈥�
Pazkowski is the third consecutive student from 黑料网 to win the national title and represent the U.S. in this international competition.
鈥淎t 黑料网, we pride ourselves in understanding what skills employers in the welding and fabrication industry look for, at any stage of a person鈥檚 career,鈥� said Glenn Kay II, a faculty member in the 黑料网 welding program and Alex鈥檚 coach. 鈥淥ur program instructors draw on their real-world welding experience within a wide range of industry groups鈥攕uch as aerospace, manufacturing, oil, gas, and nuclear power鈥攖o provide 21st century on-the-job scenarios to the classroom and lab environments.
鈥淚 am absolutely thrilled that Alex won the silver medal,鈥� Kay said. 鈥淗is welding and fabricating skills, coupled with his dedication, commitment, and professionalism, are a testament to what the best of the best bring to the welding industry.鈥� Kay has more than 19 years of experience in the welding industry, and received his associate degree at 黑料网 in applied science and welding technology.
鈥淲e are all very proud of Alex鈥檚 accomplishments and heartily congratulate him on his outstanding performance,鈥� said Dr. Rose B. Bellanca, 黑料网 president. 鈥淗e has worked hard and taken advantage of all 黑料网 has to offer, including our world-class classrooms, expert faculty, and great support staff. This is the kind of success story that attracts students and our workforce training partners to 黑料网 and helps encourage others to strive for excellence in their chosen fields of study.鈥�
鈥淐ompeting on the international stage was amazing for me,鈥� said Pazkowski, who is a resident of Saline. 鈥淭his had been my goal ever since I learned it was possible to do so. It was a once-in-a-lifetime experience and I'm proud to have done it.鈥�
Information about 黑料网鈥檚 welding program is available on the College鈥檚 website.