MIAMI, FL — The American Welding Society (AWS) and SkillsUSA have chosen Mikala Sposito, a 21-year-old pupil from Washtenaw Community College in Ann Arbor, Michigan, because the official US competitor in welding for the forty eighth WorldSkills Competitors, set for September 22–27, 2026, in Shanghai, China.
Rigorous Nationwide Trials Determine Prime Expertise
Sposito earned her place by taking first total on the USA Weld Trials, held on the Robotics Expertise Park in Huntsville, Alabama. The multi-stage competitors introduced collectively high pupil welders from throughout the nation and evaluated efficiency throughout key contractor-relevant expertise, together with precision, security, technical execution, and the power to finish advanced, multi-process welds below tight timelines.
The trials additionally emphasised consistency and craftsmanship below strain—situations that intently mirror real-world jobsite calls for.
Benjamin Cornaby of Utah State College Japanese positioned second, whereas CJ Parks of West Aspect Greers Ferry, Arkansas, completed third.
Coaching, Self-discipline Drive Aggressive Edge
Sposito’s path to the nationwide stage displays the form of sustained coaching and self-discipline required to reach at this time’s expert trades. After first discovering welding by means of a digital demonstration at age 10, she went on to win the 2024 SkillsUSA Michigan state championship.
Over the previous two years, she has dedicated 60–80 hours per week to hands-on coaching at Washtenaw Neighborhood Faculty below teacher Alex Pazkowski, a former WorldSkills silver medalist. Sposito turns into the sixth WorldSkills qualifier from the school—greater than some other US program—with a number of previous rivals now returning as instructors.
Efficiency Below Strain Defines Elite Rivals
“Rivals at this degree reveal distinctive technical ability together with the self-discipline, psychological toughness, and consistency required to carry out on the highest degree below intense strain,” mentioned Martica Ventura, Senior Supervisor for Competitions, Occasions and Conferences at AWS. “Mikala’s achievement displays the excessive requirements required to compete on a worldwide stage and reveals that excellence in welding is open to everybody.”
Trade Help Prepares Competitor for World Stage
In preparation for WorldSkills, Sposito will proceed coaching alongside different nationwide finalists with assist from AWS and business companions. The group manages the US choice course of, together with analysis standards, nationwide trials, and ongoing technical mentorship to make sure rivals meet worldwide efficiency requirements.
Workforce Improvement Pipeline Good points Visibility
Sposito’s choice underscores the function of profession and technical education schemes in constructing a talented workforce pipeline for high-demand sectors resembling development, fabrication, power, and superior manufacturing.
The WorldSkills Competitors will deliver collectively high younger professionals from around the globe, providing a platform to benchmark expertise, change finest practices, and elevate technical coaching requirements throughout industries.
To study extra in regards to the American Welding Society, go to www.aws.org.
To study extra about SkillsUSA, go to www.skillsusa.org.
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