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Olney Central College student Landyn Piercefield was among the top finishers in the Southern Indiana Career and Technical Center Welding Competition in Evansville.
The OCC sophomore captured second place in the Apprentice Category, which is open to those ages 18-22.
“I really enjoyed the competition,” Piercefield said. “It shows you where you stand in comparison to other welders your age. I like seeing where I stand and trying to improve my skills.”
During the event, competitors were tasked with performing 1G Mig and 3G stick welds within a 45-minute time limit. Entries were then judged by Certified Welding Inspectors.
OCC Welding Specialist Maverick Fisher is proud of Piercefield’s accomplishment.
“It’s important to remember that Landyn was in an open competition, so he was not just facing off against other welding students, but experienced welders and fabricators as well,” Fisher said. “While any welding placement in competition is something to be proud of, he should be especially proud of himself for placing amongst welders with much more experience than himself, and that weld every day for a living, not just a few days a week in class.”
Fisher said competitions are a vital part of the learning process.
“Competition is great for welding students,” he added. “They get to feel nerves similar to an on-the-job weld test. They also get a chance to see how their skills stack up against other welders, and sometimes more qualified welders, instead of just their classmates.”
This is the second year Piercefield has participated in the Nix Industrial-sponsored event. Last year he and fellow OCC welding student Noah Atwood, captured second- and first-place, respectively. This year Piercefield received prizes including welding supplies, general tools and clothing.
“Landyn has a top-notch work ethic and attitude,” Fisher said. “He is very conscientious and detail oriented. I’m not surprised he showed up and placed at an established and high-level competition like he did at Nix.”
Piercefield became interested in welding while taking classes at Richland County High School and chose to continue his studies at OCC.
“I really like the fluidity in welding,” he said. “There are so many jobs in welding and so many things you can do with these skills.”
Piercefield will graduate this month with his Associate Welding Degree and already has a job with Nucor Skyline, a national manufacturer and fabricator of steel products. In the future, he hopes to start his own welding business as well.
Piercefield encourages others to consider a career in welding and begin their training at OCC.
“One of the things that has impressed me is the knowledge Instructors Curtis Marshall and Maverick Fisher possess,” Piercefield said. “They have both been welding since high school and have worked as union welders themselves. The amount of experience they both have is invaluable. It’s nice to see someone do perfect welds and then try to mimic it.”
He added, “I would like to thank all the welding teachers I’ve had — Jamie VanDyke at the high school, Curtis and Maverick. They’ve been great. I’ve really enjoyed OCC. I truly believe we have the best welding program and it shows when we are in the competitions.”
