AWS Foundation offers Light a Spark Grant to help high schools establish welding classes

The need for welders has reached a critical point, and the American Welding Society Foundation, in partnership with Miller Electric Mfg. LLC, is bringing the welding experience back to high school with the Light a Spark Grant.

“The AWS Foundation is extremely pleased to offer these grants to high schools that do not currently offer a welding program, thus providing hundreds of students the opportunity to experience welding for the first time and consider the possibility of welding as a career,” said Monica Pfarr, AWS Foundation executive director.

The Light a Spark Grant is a turnkey package designed to introduce welding into existing secondary or postsecondary ag-ed, career and technical education, or practical skills courses. Up to seven starter packages, which include an augmented reality welding system, an AC/DC power source, a plasma cutter, an oxyfuel cutting pack, PPE and hand tools, and other equipment, valued at more than $14,000 each will be awarded.

Applications are being accepted through Nov. 15, 2021. The Light a Spark Grant is not intended for secondary or postsecondary schools with an existing welding program or course.