Amid an ongoing nationwide labor shortage, American steel fabricators are finding creative ways to inspire—and recruit—a new generation of skilled tradespeople. The Steel Fabricators of New England’s (SFNE) win-win solution: a welding competition partnership that gives high school students exposure to careers in steel and gives local employers a chance to connect with their future workforce.
On May 16, more than two dozen students from nine high schools across New Hampshire competed in the fifth annual New Hampshire State Welding Competition, a collaborative effort between SFNE, AISC, and sponsoring organizations. Held at Manchester Community College, this year’s competition raised more than $21,000 benefiting the career and technical education (CTE) programs that have helped each competitor hone their skills—and introduced them to potential employers and mentors in the process.
“We all look forward to it every year,” said Steve Chasse, president of SFNE member company SL Chasse Steel. “It’s great to see all the teachers from the CTE programs, and it’s rewarding to see the future welders of America competing and showing us what they can do.”
SFNE represents more than 75 steel fabricators and erectors across the Northeast. Chasse says welding competitions like this help employers not only identify future hires but also energize the broader community.
“A lot of people say kids nowadays don’t want to work,” Chasse said. “Well, that’s not what I see. These kids do want to work, they’re very good at what they do, and it’s important for us to help them along.”
One of those students is Aidan Tanguay, a Pinkerton Academy (Derry, N.H.) student and second-time state competitor, who has already found work as a welder-fabricator for SL Chasse, fabricating railings, structural beams, and stainless steel components.
Competitors had four hours to complete their assigned MIG, TIG, and stick welding processes. The top three welders received individual prizes in addition to metal plaques for their schools. All participants took home sponsor-donated equipment.
Third-place winner James Karafelis raised $2,144 for the CTE program at Alvirne High School (Hudson, N.H.), second-place winner Cole Eaton raised $3,216 for Pinkerton Academy, and top competitor Brayden Laflamme raised $5,361 for John Stark High School (Weare, N.H.).
Laflamme, a member of John Stark’s 2025 graduating class, has been welding since he was 12 years old. Competing alongside the best junior welders in his home state has not only proved personally rewarding—it has helped propel him into a lucrative career. At only 17, Laflamme is the proprietor of his own mobile welding and fabrication company.
“I just picked up a torch one day, and my mentor taught me how to use it,” Laflamme said. “I’ve been in love with welding ever since. It’s really cool to be 17 and own my own business successfully, especially when I see other kids my age not knowing what they want to do in life. In five years, I hope to have employees, possibly a shop of my own, and steady income.”
The additional six participating schools—Berlin High School, Dover High School, Sugar River High School, Portsmouth High School, Seacoast High School, and Mount Washington High School—will receive cash prizes of $1,786, directly supporting their CTE programs.
Interested in hosting a welding competition and exploring partnership opportunities with CTE programs or fabricators in your area? AISC can help—learn more here.