StrataTech Education Group, an operator of skilled trade schools and parent company of Tulsa Welding School (TWS) and The Refrigeration School, Inc. (RSI), released the fifth season of its popular Top Welder competition series. Hosted by legendary bull rider and welding aficionado Dale Brisby, at the Tulsa Welding School and Technology Center in Houston, TX, Top Welder challenges 4 teams of TWS and RSI faculty and influencers in a series of welding projects to showcase their skills and compete for a grand prize and scholarships to award to future welding students.

This season, four welding influencers – Sharon Guerrero, Austin Harget, Nathaniel Mahoy and Hunter Stephenson – were paired with skilled instructors from Tulsa Welding School, Tulsa Welding School Jacksonville, Tulsa Welding School & Technology Center in Houston and The Refrigeration School, Inc in Phoenix.

Teams competed in three timed rounds where they were challenged to create several welding projects, including a bench, an American flag, and a beach wheelchair. In an effort to honor our veterans, this season was focused on giving back to those that sacrificed so much. Following Top Welder, both the American flag and bench project were donated to Future Operations Base, an organization focused on helping disabled veterans transition to civilian life by learning a skilled trade. Future Operations Base, out of Houston, provides a space for veterans to enhance their skills in the trades while bonding with others also transitioning into civilian life.

“Over the past five seasons, Top Welder has created a platform to introduce welding to new audiences and showcase the talents of welders across the country,” said Mary Kelly, president and CEO of StrataTech. “We’re proud that the incredible projects our faculty and influencer teams designed this season could be put to good use by our country’s veterans.”

As Top Welder Season 5 concludes, one lucky contestant will receive the grand prize of a welding machine from Miller Electric Mfg. LLC,  leading worldwide manufacturer of arc welding products. The runners up will also receive various prizes from Miller and all four contestants will have the opportunity to grant a full-tuition scholarship for any TWS or RSI campus to one of their followers. Thank you to our sponsors for Top Welder including, Airgas, DeWalt, Makita U.S.A., Inc., Steel Blue Boots and Western Wear.

Top Welder will air on broadcast stations in Tulsa, Okla., Jacksonville, Fla., Houston, Dallas and Phoenix. Check your local listings for air dates and times. To learn more about Top Welder and to watch the current season, visit www.tws.edu/top-welder.

About StrataTech Education Group
StrataTech Education Group focuses on the education, growth and development of specialized career education schools, particularly skilled-trade programs designed to address the nation’s growing infrastructure needs. Holding an A+ rating by the Better Business Bureau, StrataTech Education Group’s portfolio includes The Refrigeration School, Inc. (RSI) (Phoenix), Tulsa Welding School (TWS) (Tulsa, OK), Tulsa Welding School (Jacksonville, FL), Tulsa Welding School & Technology Center (Houston, TX) and Tulsa Welding School serving the Dallas Metro – Dallas, TX). For more information, visit www.StrataTech.com and follow us on LinkedIn.

About Tulsa Welding School
For over 75 years, Tulsa Welding School (TWS) has been training skilled trades professionals, nationwide.  Students learn hands-on, technical competencies and skills through labs, virtual reality, and classroom instruction, with a curriculum designed to meet employers’ needs. TWS offers welding, HVAC/Refrigeration, electrical and electrical lineworker programs.  There are four TWS campuses across the country including Tulsa Welding School in Tulsa, Tulsa Welding School -acksonville, Tulsa Welding School & Technology Center in Houston, and Tulsa Welding School serving the  Dallas/Ft. Worth metro. Accredited Schools, ACCSC. Licensed by OBPVS, approved and regulated by TWC, and licensed by Florida CIE (License #2331). For more information, visit www.tws.edu and follow along our social channels: YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and LinkedIn.

About The Refrigeration School, Inc.
The Refrigeration School, Inc. (RSI) was founded in Phoenix in 1965 and has been training students for sustainable HVAC and refrigeration careers for more than 60 years. Offering hands-on education with a strong emphasis on the highly sought-after electrical skills, diagnostic and mechanical technology proficiency employers seek, RSI’s programs include Electrical Applications, Refrigeration Technologies, Electro-Mechanical Technologies (HVAC-R), AOS in Mechanical Maintenance Engineering, and Welding Specialist. RSI is an ACCSC accredited school and licensed by the Arizona State Board for Private Post-Secondary Education. For more information, visit www.rsi.edu and follow along our social channels: YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and LinkedIn.