ORAU launched the Extreme Trades Makeover: Future Welders competition in mid-October to award three Alabama welding teachers with $30,000 in new equipment or upgrades for their workshops or classrooms.
Teachers who enter the competition are required to create a three- to four-minute video creatively explaining what they would do with $30,000 if they are selected to win. The competition is open now and ends on January 30, 2026. Winners will be announced in late March or early April, and equipment will be delivered by the start of the 2026-27 school year.
The competition is a riff on ORAU’s Extreme Classroom Makeover, which has been awarding East Tennessee teachers with new classroom technology for more than 15 years.
Why Alabama?
Alabama plays a key role in the United States maritime industrial base, generating a $57.8 billion economic impact for the industry, according to American Waterways Operators. From Mobile’s world-class shipyards to Huntsville’s advanced manufacturing facilities producing cutting-edge components, to workforce training programs across the state—Alabama delivers. Nationwide, there is an urgent need to build and repair ships and submarines that are critical to national security and global power projection. It is estimated that more than 250,000 tradespeople, especially welders, will be needed with the skills, training, and commitment to excellence required to meet the nation’s needs. Addressing this critical workforce gap is the focus of initiatives like Build Giants Alabama, which aim to bring awareness to the critical roles of skilled tradespeople that the maritime industry urgently needs.
Build Giants Alabama is a regional workforce initiative highlighting the people, industries, and communities powering the nation’s naval fleet. The initiative connects Alabamians to the mission of the U.S. Navy’s Maritime Industrial Base Program—revitalizing American shipbuilding and repair capabilities through a coordinated network of shipbuilders and suppliers. Designed to inspire high school students, veterans, tradespeople, and individuals seeking in-demand skills. Build Giants Alabama underscores the state’s critical role in delivering the expertise and talent needed for national security.
Why welding?
Welding isn’t just a skill; it’s a national security asset.
“The nation’s maritime industrial base depends on welders who can deliver precision under pressure,” said Chelsea Hill, manager of ORAU Workforce Solutions. “Every perfect weld supports a mission that protects our country.” Workforce Solutions specializes in scientific and technical staffing support, including recruiting for very specialized and hard-to-fill positions.
ORAU Extreme Trades Makeover is offering $30,000 in new equipment or upgrades to Alabama public-school welding workshops.
Hill says that with the wave of senior welders retiring, it’s more important than ever to bring fresh talent into the field. “Our nation’s ability to build and maintain critical infrastructure depends on it.”
In today’s labor market, welding offers one of the fastest, most reliable paths to a high-earning career. Whether it’s defense, energy, or advanced manufacturing, welders have opportunities that rival and often beat traditional degree routes.
Earning potential for welders
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the earning potential for welders is strong, especially for welders with distinct specializations and certifications. The median income for entry level welders is $35,000, but salaries increase quickly based on experience. Additionally, welders who specialize in underwater/pipeline or aerospace welding, are welding engineers, or certified welding inspectors can earn $100,000 a year or more.
How does Extreme Trades Makeover work?
To be eligible for the competition, teachers must:
- Be employed by a public school located in Alabama.
- Actively teach welding to high school students or plan to teach welding to high school students in the 2026-27 school year.
- Submit a creative, 3-4-minute video that highlights the need for welding equipment or other upgrades and their potential applications in your classroom.
- Additional information, including the application and video-submission portal can be found on the Extreme Trades Makeover competition website.
- Deadline to submit video applications is Friday, Jan. 30, 2026.
- Winners will be announced in March/April 2026.
The winner will be determined by a panel of educators, welding industry professionals, and program staff. Entries will be judged on how well they:
- Clearly articulate the imperative for innovation, evolution, and creation of new and existing welding programs and pathways.
- Effectively showcase how the new equipment or other upgrades will be utilized to enhance student learning.
- Display creativity and originality in the video submission.
- Provide a thoughtful explanation of the teaching philosophy or approach that will expand welding education and inspire students to pursue careers in the field.
Welding is critical to the U.S. maritime industrial base.
Educational resources
BuildGiantsAlabama.com offers educational resources for educators, including collaborations with industry and educational partners, along with student and teacher development programs, and a curated library of videos, worksheets and other tools that may be useful in the classroom or workshop.
Questions?
Have a question about Extreme Trades Makeover: Future Welders? Send an email to extremetrades@orau.org.
For more information about the Extreme Trades Makeover: Future Welders competition, visit the competition website.
To learn more about Build Giants Alabama, visit www.buildgiantsalabama.com.