ALBANY - Kara Bartlow doesn't plan to make her living as a welder, but Thursday morning the 18-year-old Philomath High School senior made sparks fly during the annual Industrial Skills Contest held at Linn-Benton Community College in Albany.

With her long blonde hair pulled up and covered with a colorful welder's cap, Bartlow had 30 minutes to show her proficiency at gas welding. She was one of 230 students from 18 high schools who participated in the event.

"My younger brother took welding classes and I wanted to try it," Bartlow said. "I really enjoy it, because it's hands on. We're always doing something new, plus there's no homework."

Bartlow plans a career in health care, but said knowing how to weld is a valuable life skill.

Philomath instructor Scott Ballard brought 17 students to the event - two girls and 15 boys.

"It's my 14th year coming here," Ballard said. "It's good for the kids to test themselves against other criteria, not just mine."

Ballard said the contest is well organized and the "kids get great prizes. I had a student who won about $3,000 worth of prizes one year. Industry does a great job of supporting this."

Students also get to see the LBCC facility, which Ballard considers the best in the state. He completed a metallurgy program at the college in the 1980s and then got his teaching certification at Western Oregon University.

"This is kind of a carrot for me to use with the kids," Ballard said. "They work hard after school to get ready and this is their reward. Competition is a great motivator, plus they enjoy the barbecue."

Ballard said that although the economy is struggling, good jobs are awaiting skilled welders.

"When the economy comes back, we're going to need a lot of skilled workers in construction jobs," Ballard said. "I know of 19-year-olds who are earning more than I make as a teacher. They have to work hard, have excellent skills and also have the right attitude. Our goal at the high school level is to prepare the students to attend a program like LBCC."

Dave Ketler, LBCC instructor and department chair, organizes the annual contest.

"Kids get to see our program and show off what they have learned," Ketler said. "Also, instructors get to see where their students need extra attention."

Students working part-time can earn about $11 per hour. Recent program graduates earn about $18 and skilled veterans can earn up to $45 per hour, Ketler said.

Although the majority of students were involved in the welding portion of Thursday's contest, others exercised their knowledge of machining and drafting.

Troy Schaffer, 18, is a senior at Corvallis High School. He plans to attend the Oregon Institute of Technology after graduation and become a mechanical engineer.

"It's pretty cool," Schaffer said as he set up a vertical mill. "I like building things, I always have."

Schaffer's challenge was to turn a small block of aluminum into a working part during a timed exercise.

Lou Barbee teaches in the college's manual machine tool technology program. He said students with degrees will earn about $15 per hour. Experienced machinists can earn up to $25 per hour.

"They are always able to have a job," Barbee said. "Things are a little tight right now, but it will turn around."

Participating schools included: Baker, Central, Central Linn, Corvallis, Douglas, Grants Pass, Harrisburg, Jefferson, Lebanon, Molalla, Philomath, Roseburg, Scio, Sheridan, South Albany, Stayton, Sweet Home, Thurston and Willamina.

Alex Paul can be contacted at alex.paul@lee.net or by calling 758-9526.