Eleven Galveston College dual credit students from Ball High School showcased their exceptional welding skills at Rodeo Houston’s Industrial Craft Competition on March 8, 2025. The team earned top honors among nearly 500 students from 20 schools across Texas. Competing as the first-ever dual credit team, the Galveston College/Ball High School students excelled in multiple categories and took home four awards:
- Project Execution – 1st Place
- Best of Show – 2nd Place
- Safety Program – 3rd Place
- Built to Specification – 3rd Place
The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo Industrial Craft Competition helps foster the development of industrial craft skills for students enrolled in career and technical education programs from schools across Texas. Teams construct a spec-built project that is judged by industry experts. This competition is a great opportunity for students to meet potential employers and explore career opportunities in skilled trades.
Led by James Love, welding program director at Galveston College, the students worked
a total of 230 hours over 19 weeks to prepare for the competition. The team is composed
of one project manager, one safety lead, two schedulers and time trackers, one lead
fitter, one materials manager, one lead welder and four laborers. They trained Mondays through Thursdays at Galveston College’s Applied
Technology Center located at 7626 Broadway Street on Galveston Island. Galveston College
provided all the tools needed including a welding machine, electrodes, torches, saws,
threaders, and a variety of hand tools.
“I am so proud of our dual credit students for their dedication and hard work leading up to the Rodeo Houston Industrial Craft Competition. Their win is a testament to their talent and perseverance, as well as the strength of our welding program at Galveston College,” said Love. “This project gave them a true-to-life experience of what it is like working in the industry, from understanding individual roles to seeing how teamwork and communication are essential to success. Skilled trades like welding offer rewarding and stable career opportunities. It is exciting to see these students take the first steps toward a successful future.”
The Galveston College Welding Technology program provides hands-on training in shielded
metal arc welding, gas tungsten arc welding, and gas metal arc welding. Students learn how to use industry-leading equipment,
interpret blueprints, perform welds in all positions, and apply industry-standard safety procedures. This program prepares students for
careers in construction, manufacturing, and industrial fabrication. The program offers multiple certification levels and
an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree.
Through the Galveston College Dual Credit program, high school students can earn college credits while gaining technical training. Participants must meet the same academic standards as other college students, ensuring they are career-ready upon graduation.
For more information about Galveston College’s Welding Technology program, please visit: https://gc.edu/academic-career-programs/public-services-business-industry/welding-technology.php.
ABOUT GALVESTON COLLEGE
Galveston College was founded in 1967 and is a comprehensive community college providing the residents of Galveston Island and the surrounding region with academic, workforce development, continuing education and community service programs.