High school students attending the annual Skills USA national competition on June 20-24 got a chance to hone their brazing skills and learn more about careers in numerous industries including HVAC/R. 

Dozens of students participated in a seven-part HVAC/R competition which included a series of testing stations to assess skills. For the brazing competition, pros from The Harris Products Group demonstrated proper brazing techniques, reviewed safety lessons, and tested students on their skills. Students were given one hour to complete a closed-loop system of copper-to-copper and copper-to-steel connections while nitrogen purging. Harris tested their connections with a pressure/leak test.

The overall first, second and third place winners in the HVACR category were awarded cash and product prizes.

Industry equipment used during the workstations portion included ice machines, refrigerated display cases, small package HVAC units, furnaces and split-system air conditioning and/or heat pump units and geothermal units.

The Harris Products Group, a Lincoln Electric company, designs and manufactures cutting, welding, brazing, and soldering equipment, consumables and gas distribution systems. The Harris Products Group products are sold and used in more than 90 countries.

SkillsUSA is a partnership of students, teachers and industry working together to ensure America has a skilled workforce. A nonprofit national education association, SkillsUSA serves middle-school, high-school and college/postsecondary students preparing for careers in trade, technical and skilled service occupations.