The Department of Defense (DoD)’s Office of Industrial Base Policy (IBP), through its Manufacturing Capability Expansion and Investment Prioritization (MCEIP) office, and in partnership with RD Solutions, Inc., sponsored the Project MFG 2023 National Welding League Championship on June 1-2, 2023, in Kirtland, Ohio. Project MFG advances the Department’s vision of promoting the prestige of manufacturing and inspiring individuals to enter the manufacturing sector. The project is led by MCEIP’s Innovation Capability and Modernization (ICAM) office.
The National Welding League competition projects involved multiple technical processes which enabled a thorough assessment of each competitor’s welding proficiency. Throughout the year, 93 students competed in the project-based competition series and were challenged to create defense themed objects simulating a helicopter, fixed-wing jet fighter, and submarine. The complexity of each project increased throughout the year-long series, with the most challenging project taking place at the national championship. Continuing the defense theme, the top ranking 25 students, which featured 15 schools from 10 different states, were challenged to complete an aircraft carrier project in the final challenge in seven hours. The winners of the 2023 competition will be featured in the welding league episode of Project MFG’s “Clash of Trades” which is scheduled to be aired on the Project MFG YouTube channel in late June. “Clash of Trades” was recently awarded a 2023 Viddy Award. This international awards competition recognizes outstanding achievement in video and digital production skills (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AkY0vFgZCw4).
"Project MFG's 'Clash of Trades' campaign has become one of our most successful initiatives to promote and celebrate the vast opportunities that trade careers offer, while also showcasing the exceptional talent of the future generation of our domestic manufacturing workforce. This campaign provides the perfect platform to push the manufacturing story beyond the manufacturing ecosystem and attract new talent to this critical need," added Dr. Ray Dick, who leads Project MFG’s execution.
True to Project MFG’s mission, educational and networking opportunities were available for both students and attendees throughout the event. For example, competitors, instructors, parents, and attendees participated in a panel discussion that focused on challenges facing the manufacturing industry and the vast amount of rewarding and successful career opportunities available.
Project MFG helps elevate the next generation of highly skilled trade professionals through its series of interdisciplinary and trade-specific competitions where participants gain hands-on experience with the latest technology and support from subject matter experts. Ms. Adele Ratcliff, Director of MCEIP’s ICAM office, and its Industrial Base Analysis and Sustainment program which funds Project MFG stated, “These competitions provide an opportunity to build and strengthen local and regional manufacturing communities while working to change mindsets about careers in critical defense-related trades. They foster community collaboration and inspire partnerships across industry and academia, all while challenging how the critical skills needed to succeed in a modern industrial base are taught.”
For additional information on MCEIP and other ICAM projects, please visit https://www.businessdefense.gov/ibr/mceip/index.html or email osd.pentagon.ousd-a-s.mbx.ibas@mail.mil