Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology Advanced Welding Fabrication Technology instructor Jim Stewart, Ed.D., earned second place in the 2026 3M Clash of the Grinders: Instructor Edition, a national competition recognizing welding and fabrication instructors for their metalworking expertise.
Jim, a first-year instructor at the College, was one of 84 instructors who applied to participate in the competition. After advancing through the first two rounds, he traveled to Las Vegas to compete against seven other top instructors from across the country during FABTECH 2026.
Held October 21, the final competition challenged instructors to demonstrate their skills in welding, grinding, and surface preparation using 3M Abrasives products. The instructor-focused championship was created to recognize the expertise of the professionals who teach and prepare the next generation of skilled trades workers.
Jim’s second-place finish highlights the real-world experience that faculty bring to students at Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology. In the Advanced Welding Fabrication Technology program, students develop practical skills through hands-on learning while working alongside instructors with direct knowledge of the techniques and expectations they will encounter in the workforce. Faculty also provide direct connections with industry leaders to help create opportunity for a strong future for students and a healthy workforce pipeline for employers.
That connection between the classroom and industry is central to a Thaddeus Stevens College education. Industry-experienced faculty help students build technical skills while also understanding the precision, safety, problem-solving, and professional standards required to succeed in high-demand careers.
FABTECH brings together the metal forming, fabricating, welding, and finishing industries, providing an opportunity for professionals to explore technologies, products, and practices shaping the field. Hosting the championship at the event gave participating instructors an opportunity to demonstrate their skills on a national stage while connecting with the broader metalworking community.
The 3M Clash of the Grinders competition also reflects the important role instructors play in strengthening the skilled trades workforce. By continuing to test their own skills and engage with industry, faculty like Stewart bring current knowledge and experience back to their students.
Congratulations to Stewart on an outstanding national finish and for representing the Bulldog community at FABTECH 2026!