Airgas, an Air Liquide company, is accelerating its commitment to the next generation of skilled trades by expanding the reach of the Airgas High School Welding Education Initiative to 76 schools across 26 states in 2026.

The selection of 76 schools for this year’s cohort carries a quiet, symbolic significance. As the nation approaches the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence in 1776, Airgas’ “Class of 76” highlights the company’s mission to foster a different kind of independence: the technical mastery and career-readiness that empower students to build their own futures and support essential infrastructure. This year’s program includes 25 new and 51 renewal schools.

The selected programs are chosen based on four key factors: high unmet need at the school; a productive welding program with the potential to graduate job-ready welders; passionate teachers; and enthusiastic local Airgas champions.

Since its inception in 2018, the Airgas initiative has moved beyond simple support and into true workforce transformation, to contribute to meet the welding industry’s need for 320,500 new professionals by 2029. To date, the program has empowered over 16,000 students from 191 schools nationwide, equipped 817 instructors with modern machinery and safety PPE, and helped launch more than 3,100 careers with graduates transitioning directly from classrooms to high-demand professional welding and technical roles. 

Monica De La Garza, Airgas’ Executive Vice President of Operations, states, "The 2026 expansion reinforces our commitment to supporting educators and students as they work to bridge the critical skills gap in our workforce. Equipping these 76 programs with professional-grade tools used in the industry today will empower the next generation to fill their potential."

Congratulations to the 2026 participating schools representing 26 states: 

• Aiken Career Center – Aiken, SC
• Albertville High School – Albertville, AL
• Anniston High School – Anniston, AL
• Atkinson County High School – Pearson, GA
• Bacon County High School – Alma, GA
• Bakersfield R IV School – Bakersfield, MO
• Barbara Jordan Career Center – Houston, TX
• Barnwell County Career Center – Barnwell, SC
• Ben Franklin High School – Philadelphia, PA
• Brantley County High School – Nahunta, GA
• Buckeye Hills Career Center – Rio Grande, OH
• Carter Tech Center – Hampton, TN
• Charlton County High School – Folkston, GA
• Clearfield County Career And Technology Center – Clearfield, PA
• Cloudland High School – Roan Mountain, TN
• Coffee County High School – Douglas, GA
• Columbia High School – Lake City, FL
• Cooper High School – Abilene, TX
• Crescent City Jr. Sr. High School – Crescent City, FL
• David Crockett High School – Jonesborough, TN
• Dixie County Middle-High School – Cross City, FL
• Don Young Alaska Job Corps – Palmer, AK
• Dothan Tech – Dothan, AL
• Dunnellon High School – Dunnellon, FL
• Eastern Westmoreland Career and Technology Center – Latrobe, PA
• Edison High School – Fresno, CA
• Elvis J Ballew PSJA ISD High School – Pharr, TX
• Fairfield High School – Fairfield, IA
• Franklin County School – Eastpoint, FL
• Franklinton High School – Franklinton, NC
• Frederick Douglass High School – Euclid, OH
• Galena Park High School – Galena Park, TX
• Genesee Career Institute – Flint, MI
• Grafton High School – Grafton, WV
• Granada Huntly East Chain High School – Grenada, MN
• Happy Valley High School – Elizabethton, TN
• Indiana County Technology Center – Indiana, PA
• Interlachen Jr. Sr. High School – Interlachen, FL
• Jeff Tech – Reynoldsville, PA
• Jefferson High School – Tampa, FL
• Joe Redington Senior Jr/Sr High School – Wasilla, AK
• Kennedy High School – Richmond, CA
• Lima Senior High School – Lima, OH
• Lincoln County High School – Hamlin, WV
• Lyndon Institute – Lyndon Center, VT
• McIntosh County Academy – Darien, GA
• Merrillville High School – Merrillville, IN
• Monache High School – Porterville, CA
• Morgan County R-1 High School – Stover, MO
• Mountain Empire Community College – Big Stone Gap, VA
• Nathan Hale High School – West Allis, WI
• North Country Career Center – Newport, VT
• Northlands Job Corps Center – Vergennes, VT
• Page High School – Page, AZ
• Palatka Jr. Sr. High School – Palatka, FL
• Paso Robles High School – Paso Robles, CA
• Pierce County High School – Blackshear, GA
• Randolph High School – Philadelphia, PA
• Region 9 School of Applied Technology – Mexico, ME
• Ridgeview High School – Clintwood, VA
• Roswell High School – Roswell, NM
• Sabin-Schellenberg Professional Technical Center – Portland, OR
• Scioto County Career Technical Center – Lucasville, OH
• Scott County Technical and Career – Gate City, VA
• Strom Thurmond High School – Johnston, SC
• Tampa Bay Technical High School – Tampa, FL
• Unicoi County High School – Erwin, TN
• Velma-Alma High School – Velma, OK
• Veterans Resource Center – Dallas, TX
• Wagener Salley High School – Wagener, SC
• Ware County High School – Waycross, GA
• Weld Like a Girl – Yuma, AZ
• West Ridge High School – Blountville, TN
• West Rusk High School – New London, TX
• White Mountain Regional High School – Whitefield, NH
• Wilcox County High School – Rochelle, GA