In New Mexico FFA, innovation, hands-on learning, and career readiness are shaping the next generation of skilled workers. The New Mexico FFA Welding Series is bringing together students from across the state to test their abilities, build real-world experience, and redefine what it means to “learn by doing.”
Launched in 2024, the series was created to give students a competitive, authentic platform to develop welding skills that translate directly into industry careers. With growing support from teachers, industry partners and students, the welding series is quickly becoming a cornerstone in preparing the next wave of welders and problem-solvers.
At the center of this movement is Chase Montes, the Tularosa FFA advisor, who led the initiative to bring weld offs to New Mexico. After seeing the success of similar contests in other states, Montes recognized what such a competition could mean for New Mexico students.
“I attended other state contests that were currently holding weld-offs and saw how competitive and how much support their contests were building for the welding profession and welding skills,” Montes says. “I talked to other ag teachers and the need for the contests for welding were expressed.”
In each weld off, three-member teams are given a set of schematics, complete with welding symbols, measurements, and instructions—and must construct a project under tight deadlines. “Teams will then have 6 hours to complete their projects and turn them in to be judged,” Montes explains. The pressure, precision, and teamwork required all mirror what students will experience in the workplace.
This competition reflects the heart of agricultural education: real-life learning. Students are challenged not just to weld, but to think critically, problem-solve, read technical plans, and maintain strict safety practices.
“The biggest takeaway for students is to develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills along with learning safety, welding and metal cutting techniques and applying them in a real-world setting,” Montes says.
For states hoping to adopt a similar model, Montes recommends experiencing the contest firsthand. “I would invite them to see a contest in action, watch the kids, talk to some ag teachers involved with training teams, visit with company supporters that are investing in our contest,” he says. “Once I saw it, I was hooked as a shop teacher. It’s a place for our students to shine.”
Montes believes the opportunities the welding series creates are especially meaningful for students who may not pursue traditional college pathways. “I think not everyone is going to go to a post-secondary school,” he says. “This allows students to showcase their talents and create a passion for working in the welding field.”
As the series continues to grow, it stands as a powerful example of the organization’s mission in action. The New Mexico FFA Welding Series is more than a contest. It is an investment in students’ futures and a testament to FFA’s commitment to developing premier leaders, personal growth, and career success through agricultural education.
