Fort Hays Tech | North Central
BELOIT – Navarre Plagmann, a welding student at Fort Hays Tech | North Central in Beloit, has earned national recognition by winning Project Manufacturing National Welding League championship.
Originally from Sumner, Nebraska, Plagmann competed against top welding students from across the country at the national event held at Ferris State University in Big Rapids, Michigan. His instructor, Blake Schroeder, accompanied him to the competition.
Plagmann’s final project involved fabricating a model military Osprey using a range of welding techniques, including MIG, TIG, Flux Core, and SMAW. The competition tested his skills in multiple areas, such as fit-up, joint preparation, and overall weld quality.
“I really enjoyed the experience and it opened a lot of doors for me,” said Plagmann. “Winning the prize money, tools, and edge welding cups was absolutely amazing. I can now put everything to good use expanding my welding career.”
The championship drew 350 students from 122 schools across the country.
Finalists had just eight hours to complete a precision welding project—a detailed model of an aircraft carrier—using only the tools provided in a duffle bag at the start of the competition.
Eric Burks, president of Fort Hays Tech North Central, said “We're extremely excited for Navarre, he did an amazing job at Project Manufacturing, and I wish him the best as he moves into his career. I'm also very proud of our welding program and the continued success they have had in national competitions! It really illustrates the great work the instructors (Kyle Kopsa and Blake Schroeder) are doing with our students to prepare them to succeed, not just at competitions, but more importantly in the workforce.”
As the national champion, Plagmann took home $10,000 in cash, a new set of tools, and top honors in the welding industry’s most prestigious student competition.
A video recap of the event can be found on Project MFG’s Youtube channel, www.youtube.com/@ProjectMFG.