NEGAUNEE, Mich. (WZMQ) – An annual CTE competition was held at the Union Carpenters and Millwrights Training Center in Negaunee on Friday.
Since 2007, the U.P. Construction & Welding Skills Challenge has been offered to schools throughout the Upper Peninsula. From 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., multiple teams of five construction students worked to build a pre-designed structure, while welding students individually focused on their precision skills. Both trades were judged throughout the day.
“The construction industry is a great need, not just here in the U.P. but across the United States,” said U.P. Construction Council Executive Director, Michael Smith. “There’s been an advanced interest in CTE programs across the country, so we really want to highlight those students and give them a chance to compete.”
This year, over 100 students competed across more than 10 different teams. The top three teams are awarded with bragging rights, and first place will receive a plaque on the U.P. Construction Skills trophy.