‘It’s a ton of fun’: Welding competition brings together Calgary high school students

A unique competition helps Calgary and area high school students test their welding skills. Tyler Barrow reports.

Thirty-six high school students from nine high schools around Calgary came together for the 10th annual Calgary High School Welding Rodeo on Saturday.

Hunter Plouffe is a Grade 12 student from St.Mary’s High School and is in his second year competing in the rodeo.

“It’s a ton of fun getting to hang out with my buddies and just weld all day,” said Plouffe.

Noble Shav is another participant in the event from St. Mary’s High School.

“(you) get inside, go down there, pick out a lot of different materials, see a lot of different things. It’s a whole new experience for me and something I really enjoy,” said Shav.

The purpose of the event is to introduce students to different aspects of the industry.

“Provide them an opportunity to engage with other students who enjoy the same things,” said the organizer for Calgary High School Welding Rodeo Robert James. “It exposes them to industry and professionals of industry.”

Students are judged on three different projects: structural test, a project consisting of pre-prepared materials and a passion project to match the 2025 western theme ‘Bring your buckles and boots to get back to your roots.’

“We have people from SAIT, the contractor community, all participating in supporting this event,” said James.

James touched on the need for welders in Alberta.

“The welding trade is definitely one of the most in-demand trades in Alberta,” said James.

Riley McElroy is a past participant of the rodeo and is now a journeyman Red Seal B Pressure and structural welder and instructor at SAIT teaching in the Women’s Building Futures Program.

McElroy says the competition allows youth to network and meet other like minded individuals. She also reiterates the need for welders.

“We’re having a real demand for not just only welders, structural welders, pressure welders, more people to come in and who are able to kind of take over for those who are retiring and leaving the trade. So when we have people retiring at such a fast rate, we’re not having enough people coming into the industry to take over,” said McElroy.

The event ran for one day.