Channellock stands up for trade schools

When a Wisconsin high school welding program made generous contributions to its community, Channellock took notice. The school – Ladysmith High School in Ladysmith, Wisc., took first place in the Channellock Trade School Trade-Up competition.

The competition challenges students to create a one-of-a-kind video showcasing their team’s technical skills in action. Videos are judged based on creativity, passion for their respective trade, and the impact made on their community with the help of Channellock tools.

“We believe in educating the future of our skilled workforce in America,” said Jon DeArment, president and chief operating officer of Channellock, Inc. “Trade School Trade-Up was created to give students in trade schools an opportunity to showcase their abilities and demonstrate the value of career and technical education. Channellock, Inc., is dedicated to helping close the national skills gap by equipping the future tradesmen and women of America with tools for success. We hope this program inspires trade school students to give back to their communities and be proud of their craft.”

Channellock, Inc., presented Ladysmith High School with a prize of $5,000 cash, new tools for students and their classroom, and a Channellock classroom makeover.

The school’s welding program was chosen for its unique video highlighting its welding program and the improvements and contributions it has made to its city. Those include silhouettes for its city veterans memorial, railings for city parks, downtown bike racks, and repairing burned out grills in city parks. Students in the program have also created numerous sign art pieces and metal frame tables that they've donated to community organizations for charity auctions.

Meet the winning schools:

• 1st Place: Ladysmith High School; Ladysmith, WI – Welding; $5,000 cash prize, Channellock  tools for team members and their classroom, and a classroom makeover with Channellock Blue wall paint and fatheads;
• 2nd Place: Norwalk High School; Norwalk, CA – Auto; $2,500 cash prize, Channellock  tools for team members and their classroom;
• 3rd Place: Great Oaks Career Campuses, Laurel Oaks Campus; Wilmington, OH – Auto; $1,000 cash prize, Channellock tools for team members and their classroom.

In 2018, Worcester Tech High School in Newark, Md., received a welding department classroom makeover. Watch the video recap above.