METAL WORKS EXPO 2026
Experience hands-on welding with the instructors behind KWI's 98% job placement rate.
A free day at KWI for welding instructors, hiring contractors, and high school students figuring out what comes next.
SAVE MY SPOTFREE ADMISSION · FREE LUNCH
If you teach welding, hire welders, or are a high school student deciding what comes after graduation, the Metal Works Expo is a free day at KWI that shows you exactly what a welding career looks like up close.
Last year hundreds of students, teachers, and contractors filled the shop floor in Flemingsburg. They welded, they ate lunch on us, and left with top of the line welding apparel from industry vendors.
This is the fourth annual Expo. Here's who it's for.
WHO IT'S FOR
Three audiences. One shop floor. Pick the one that fits.
Weigh your options
Weld alongside KWI instructors, jump in our welding simulators (pipe rack, boiler simulator, downhill), and compete for prizes in the live welding contests.
Bring your welding class
Sit in on instructor-only sessions on bend test specimens, AWS SENSE, and NCCER — and take home a $50 gift card. Bring 15 or more students and that becomes $100.
Hire welders this year
Set up at an industry booth, meet students months before they graduate, and tell them what a job on your crew actually pays.
WHAT YOUR DAY INCLUDES
One ticket needed: your RSVP.
HANDS-ON WELDING SIMULATORS
Run by KWI instructors. Not a demo you watch from behind a rope — you'll actually weld.
FFA 3'S CONTEST REVIEW
KY FFA's 3's welding contest is changing, and we're going to give a review of the new contest.
Industry booths
Career info, scholarships, and grant help from the Kentucky Career Center.
Live welding contests
Real prizes awarded to students throughout the day.
FREE LUNCH
Every attendee will receive a meal ticket for lunch.
$38/hr average starting wage
A straight answer on how a KWI grad reaches it in about 6 months.
WHY KWI HOSTS THIS
The Expo is the one day a year you can see KWI's training in motion before you ever enroll, hire, or bring a class.
Trains welders in roughly 6 months — not 2 to 4 years
AWS, NCCER, and OSHA certifications included in tuition
Lifetime job placement help for every graduate
98% of graduates placed in welding jobs
RSVP IN UNDER A MINUTE
Fill in the form below and submit. You'll get a confirmation email right away with the address, schedule, and waiver. RSVP by Aug 1, 2026.