UBTech Welding Graduate Represents USA at WorldSkills in Lyon, France

Wyatt Hansen, a graduate of UBTech and current student at USU-Eastern, has clinched the top spot in the American Welding Society (AWS) 2024 USA Welding Trials in May in Alabama. He will be representing the United States at the WorldSkills competition in Lyon, France this September. Hansen is currently attending USU Eastern in Price.
Hansen’s journey into the world of welding started at a young age when his father introduced him to the craft. Captivated by the sparks and molten metal, he knew he had found his passion. He immersed himself in welding classes at Altamont High School, laying the groundwork for his future endeavors.
Inspired by the success stories of past UBTech graduates like Chandler Vincent, who was the United States competitor for WorldSkills in Abu Dahbi in 2017, Hansen set his sights on the same pathway and enrolled at UBTech.
Despite setbacks such as the cancellation of the State SkillsUSA competition during his junior year due to the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, Hansen remained committed to becoming a successful welder.
He doubled his efforts in his senior year, balancing his studies at UBTech and Altamont High School with part-time welding work under the mentorship of Kevin Mitchell, UBTech welding instructor.
However, it was his classmate Davis Thomas, who won the spot to represent UBTech at State SkillsUSA. Thomas brought home the bronze medal at National SkillsUSA in 2021 and also competed at the AWS US Welding Trials, finishing as one of the top three welders in the country.
Hansen returned to UBTech as an adult student to compete, winning the gold medal at State SkillsUSA and representing UBTech at SkillsUSA Nationals, finishing in the top 12 in the nation in 2022.
Furthering his education at USU-Eastern provided Hansen with opportunities needed to refine his skills under the guidance of industry veterans like Mason Winters, also a UBTech alum. USU-Eastern Welding faculty, Jeremiah Garcia, Austin Welch, and Jake Clemment also helped Hansen hone his craft.
Hansen’s commitment to self-improvement culminated in gold medal wins at the State SkillsUSA competition and at the 2023 National SkillsUSA competition.
The pinnacle of Hansen’s journey came in August 2023, as he competed in the US AWS Welding Trials.
Beginning with a pre-trial phase, with over a dozen competitors, candidates faced scrutiny across various parameters, including five test plate coupons, one pressure vessel, and two sheet metal projects including aluminum and stainless alloys.
Each project was visually inspected under extreme tolerance in bead width variation, bead height variation, weld size, and weld defects. The five test plates get x-rayed and the pressure vessel gets pressured up to 1,000 PSI.
As the field narrowed, only the most proficient welders advanced. Following rigorous training (15-hour days, six days a week) and elimination rounds, he emerged to earn the honor of representing his country on the global stage.
“It was the hardest thing I’ve ever done,” said Hansen. “I’m super excited and it’s finally started to set in.”
Reflecting on his journey, Hansen acknowledges the pivotal role played by UBTech in laying the foundation for his success.
“UBTech was great, the welding program is set up in a way that it can take someone who has never welded before and give them the skills they need to be successful in the workforce.”
Hansen also has upcoming competitions and training in Canada and Australia. His training will be under the guidance of USA welding experts Chandler Vincent and Raymond Connolly.
“If you want something bad enough, you’ll find a way,” is the advice Hansen offers.

Wyatt Hansen, third person from the left, was awarded the top spot in the American Welding Society (AWS) 2024 USA Welding Trials. He will be representing the United States at Lyon, France at the WorldSkills competition for welding. He’s pictured with Chandler Vincent (far right), UBTech Welding Instructor and USA Welding Expert.

Proud UBTech Welding Instructor (right) Kevin Mitchel, pictured with UBTech graduate, Wyatt Hansen (left) sporting the National SkillsUSA Gold Medal in welding.