USU Eastern student takes 3rd in global welding competition

PRICE, Utah —  Jordan Packer is a welding student at USU Eastern. And today, he can arguably be called a star.

Because in October, Packer placed third in The WorldSkills Special Edition welding competition in Cleveland, Ohio. Along with the bronze medal, he also won the “Best of Nation Award” by scoring higher than any other U.S. participant.

Packer has been participating in and winning many welding events over the past two years. “I had to win the state competition and do well at nationals to even be invited to the trials,” said Packer. Jordan took 2nd in the U.S .trials and became the sole USA Competitor in the WorldSkills competition. 

How the USU East welding student competed

Participants have four different projects to complete over four days. Afterward, their final products earn points for accuracy.  Scoring just 7 points behind the gold medalist, Jordan Packer won the bronze medal for the United States. 

“I think any teacher’s dream is for the student to (surpass) the master,” said Austin Welch. Welch is a professor at USU Eastern and is the welding team advisor. The school has now had two students compete in WorldSkills. 

“Eastern is not a great welding program because we win welding competitions,” Welch told KSL NewsRadio, “but rather that our students win welding competitions because we have a great program.” 

Jordan will soon graduate from USU Eastern. He plans to pursue welding as a career. He is starting his own welding company, and as the bronze medalist, $40,000 was awarded to him to continue his education.

“Jordan Packer is undoubtedly one of the future leaders of the welding industry in the United States,” said Welch.

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