Enstrom Helicopter Corporation took part in a friendly welding competition on October 9, with all proceeds going to benefit Northeast Wisconsin Technical College. As part of the first ever “Welding Rodeo,” five professional teams and two high school teams were given eight hours to create a welded sculpture on the NWTC Marinette campus.
Judges graded the sculptures based on artistic design, workmanship, durability, and how well the sculpture would function as an outdoor display. Each entry then went up for auction, allowing bidders to donate to the NWTC scholarship fund.
Enstrom’s team of four included Ty Miller, Garrett Wolesker, Cole Mylener, and Ken Davis. They were assigned a 20’x20’ booth space equipped with basic welding equipment, a safety gear bag, power, and scrap metal. Everything else, like grinders, extension cords, ladders, and clamps came from the Enstrom employees’ own tool bags.
Fabricator welder Ty Miller said the competition put his skills to the test. “A lot of people think, oh, you’re a welder, just glue metal together,” Miller said. “It’s a lot more than that. Every welding technique has a certain art form to it.”
The theme for this year was “Soar Higher,” which resulted in a variety of interpretations, from rockets to eagles. Enstrom’s team stayed on-brand and sculpted a miniature helicopter. The judges appeared very impressed by Enstrom’s handiwork, awarding the team second place, just three points shy of first.
“We had a blast at this competition,” said Miller. “It required tremendous focus and communication to piece everything together within the time limit, but we’re incredibly proud of the results. It’s also great to know that our efforts here today will help empower the next generation of welders.”
In total, the Welding Rodeo roped in $6700 for student scholarships.
Cindy Bailey, dean of NWTC Marinette’s campus, said that the demand for welders is outpacing the supply. But, by providing scholarships and exposing students to just how fulfilling a career in the trades can be, Bailey hopes to reverse that trend.
In addition to the competition, the Welding Rodeo also included food trucks and a STEM fair, offering information on career opportunities in and around Marinette, including at Enstrom. To learn more about careers at Enstrom, visit our website.
Bailey said the college will host another Welding Rodeo in fall 2025.
About Enstrom Helicopter Corporation
From Rudy Enstrom’s early designs in 1943 to initial testing in a Michigan Quarry in 1957 to aircraft operating on six continents, Enstrom Helicopter Corporation has maintained a reputation for safety, value and performance. Based in Menominee, Michigan and proudly made in the United States, Enstrom has a rich history for design innovation. The goal is to provide helicopters to the customer’s exact specification and deliver support and maintenance worldwide.