Mid-State to host its first Regional SkillsUSA Competition
By Patrick Lynn
Mid-State Technical College is hosting a regional student competition this month.
The SkillsUSA Competition will be held on Friday, Jan. 20, on the Wisconsin Rapids campus and is open to junior and high school students. Participants have the opportunity to compete in 17 different career and technical education events, including job interviewing, prepared speech, technical math, welding sculpture, precision machining, carpentry, and more.
Mid-State faculty and industry professionals will serve as judges for the competition, according to a news release from the school this week.
Mid-State has hosted district-level SkillsUSA competitions in the past and even hosted its own SkillsUSA Welding Challenge in October. The Jan. 20 competition will be the first regional competition held on a Mid-State campus and the largest SkillsUSA competition the College has hosted to date.
Ryan Kawski, dean of the School of Applied Technology, said Mid-State was honored to host the event.
“While it is our first year hosting a regional competition, we have been a long-standing member of the SkillsUSA organization and have had our own students compete at a national level for the last eight consecutive years,” Kawski said.
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. SkillsUSA is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and the U.S. Department of Labor as a successful model of employer-driven workforce development.
“Students competing at this level are showcasing their technical skills and gaining valuable experience in job and work readiness. Students who win their competition are eligible to compete at the State Leadership and Skills Conference in April,” Kawski added.
School districts and students are encouraged to register for the regional competition between now and Friday, Jan. 6, at skillsusa.org. Students may compete in up to one skilled, one leadership, and one occupational contest.
