Virtual Sparks, Real Skills: Kayden Welds His Way to a State Title 

At Arkansas Virtual Academy, one student is proving that you do not need a full welding shop to start building real-world skills. 

Kayden, an eighth-grader with a growing interest in welding, earned the title of 2026 SkillsUSA Arkansas champion in the state’s first middle school virtual welding competition, held April 8 at the ARVA Hub in Little Rock. He later received his champion award at the 2026 SkillsUSA State Championships on April 14 in Hot Springs. 

Not bad for a student who just got started in welding this year. 

The competition, hosted by ARVA, attracted students from across Arkansas to test their precision and technique on computer-based welding simulators. Using specialized computers equipped with welding torches, students completed simulated welds that were scored by software for accuracy and technique. 

“The whole thing, honestly, it’s great to do,” Kayden said before the competition. “It’s really easy to learn and it’s really worth it in the end.” 

Kayden’s mother, Lindsay, said opportunities like ARVA’s virtual welding program are opening doors her son might not have found otherwise 

“The opportunity to do things like this has really been nice because he wouldn’t get that in a regular brick and mortar school,” she said.  

The competition illustrated the intersection of hands-on career training and modern technology, showing that middle school students can begin learning the fundamentals of a high-demand trade before they’re old enough to use true welding equipment. That can give students a head start on a career in high demand in Arkansas.  

Industry expert Chris Layton of Welsco of North Little Rock attended the event to support students and underscore just how strong the demand is. 

“Why don’t we start small? Let’s start with a virtual welder. Let’s get kids interested. Because if you get kids interested in the fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh, and eighth grade, they can go to a career school later,” said welding industry expert Chris Layton of Welsco of North Little Rock, who attended the competition.  

“Today, if you gave me 100 kids that could pass a welding test, we could put all of them to work in a day,” he said. “So there’s a huge demand. And welding is still the No. 1 trade in Arkansas.” 

In addition to SkillsUSA, ARVA students can participate in career technical service organizations including the Technology Student Association (TSA), National FFA Organization (FFA), and the Family, Career, and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA).  

Students can also enroll in career pathways including agriculture; arts, entertainment, and design; computer science; education; financial services; healthcare and human services; management and entrepreneurship; marketing and sales; and public service and safety. 

To learn more about ARVA’s career and technical education opportunities, visit our Career and College Prep page.  

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