Eight Ball High School Dual Credit students are honing their welding skills under the leadership and training of Galveston College Welding Technology Program Director James Love in preparation for fierce competition in March 2026. 
These Ball High School students will compete against more than 10 other teams in their 2026 Industrial Craft Competition category on March 7, 2026.The Industrial Craft Competition will be held in connection with the 2026 Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo.
Ball High School welding competitors are vying for up to four Rodeo Howdys (trophies that resemble the rodeo’s mascot, which is named Howdy). Eleven Ball High School students took home four awards out of five categories in the March 2025 competition, including Grand Champion (first place) for Project Execution and Reserve Grand Champion (second place) for Best of Show. Read the story about Ball High School’s success in the 2025 competition here.
The Industrial Craft Competition helps to foster the development of industrial craft skills for students who are enrolled in career and technical education programs from schools across Texas. Teams construct a spec-built project judged by industry experts. Each team is required to deliver a brief presentation to the judges, preceded by a detailed inspection of the project. Industry mentors work with high school instructors to provide their expertise and guidance. In addition, the students keep a journal of their progress that covers their roles, the project safety plan, an incident log, the project schedule, and any rework that was completed.
Love explained that the Ball High School Dual Credit welding students will be judged in four categories: Project Controls, which incorporates the project book and data collection; Overall Safety, which addresses “near misses” or incidents and documentation by the students of all observations made and tasks completed; Built to Specification, which assesses if the students discover issues and make necessary corrections while also documenting their observations and actions taken and meeting specific welding tolerances compliant with the International Standard Organization (ISO) 13920 specification for general welding construction; and  Best of Show, which combines the three categories and assesses the team that accrues the most points to win the Grand Champion Trophy.
“Our Ball High School dual credit students performed exceptionally well last year in this competition,” said Love. “These students are gaining valuable insights into how real-world welding projects are developed, implemented, and executed based on industry standards. In addition to learning welding and project management skills, they are developing essential social and interpersonal skills. They are also learning how to work effectively as a team. A bonus aspect of the competition is that our Ball High students will be meeting directly with working professionals who are serving as their mentors.”
In the months leading up to the Industrial Craft Competition, Ball High students are working with Love on campus at Galveston College on lessons focused on print drawings, welding applications, and safety outlooks.
“We have all students fill out an STA - whether they've done it before or not - to compare what employers are expecting to see on the STA,” said Love. “We bring in guest mentors to our Galveston College campus to provide insights and guidance for Safety, Project Controls, and Industry Craft for the students.”
An STA is a Safety Task Analysis. Love explained that an STA form must be completed daily prior to starting work on any project that presents potential hazards or safety concerns until the project is completed.
“Being involved in this rodeo welding competition is one of the joys I get from teaching,” said Love. “Exposing these students to real-world applications is something that many training facilities miss when preparing their students to enter the workforce. When Ball High welding students leave Galveston College and graduate from their senior year of high school, they will have a leg up on others entering the construction trade. Seeing these young men and women acquiring skills that contribute to their success is extremely rewarding.”
 
Welding Technology Degrees and Certificates
 
Through Galveston College’s Dual Credit program, students attending Ball High School in Galveston and other participating schools (public, private, or homeschool) can enroll concurrently in the Welding Technology program and other Galveston College academic or technical college courses.
Galveston College offers several options for students who are interested in enrolling in the Welding Technology program.
  • Multiple Processes Certificate - Welding Technology - Level One (Entry Level)
  • Basic Fitting Certificate - Welding Technology - Level One (Advanced Level)
  • Basic Qualified Welder Certificate - Welding Technology -Level Two (Advanced Level Technology)
  • Associate of Applied Science (AAS) - Welding Technology
The Welding Technology program at Galveston College provides hands-on training with the same equipment and tools used in the construction, chemical, and petrochemical industry sectors. Students learn a wide range of welding processes including, but not limited to, oxyacetylene gas welding, gas tungsten arc, and gas metal arc. Welding Technology students also acquire knowledge and experience in welding, layout, and fitting skills to prepare them for careers in gas welding, arc welding, specialty welding, and other areas.
Galveston College Welding Technology instructors equip students to pass entry-level welding certification tests that are required by employers. Graduates are qualified to pursue employment opportunities in general metal fabrication facilities, in pressure vessel shops; in the engineering, construction, and manufacturing industry sectors; and in the maritime industry.
To schedule a virtual meeting or a tour of the Welding Technology program facilities at the Galveston College Charlie Thomas Family Applied Technology Center (ATC), please call James Love at 409-944-1405 or email him at [email protected]. The Galveston College ATC is located at 7626 Broadway St. in Galveston. Visit www.gc.edu/welding for more information.
 
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.