SkillsUSA a Partnership of Students Educators and Industry
SkillsUSA, a Partnership of Students, Educators and Industry
SkillsUSA is a partnership of students, educators and industry representatives working together to ensure a skilled American workforce. The organization boasts over 300,000 students, 16,600 teachers and 1,100 businesses all focused on the need for highly trained skilled workers. The programs standardize the teaching process and assist students in learning not only how to produce but how to give back to the community as well.
SkillsUSA has one goal in mind: a skilled American workforce. The nationwide, non-profit organization boasts over 300,000 students, 16,600 teachers and 1,100 businesses all focused on the need for highly trained skilled workers. The programs standardize the teaching process and assist students in learning not only how to produce, but how to give back to the community as well. The future welders of America found a start to their careers in this year's SkillsUSA contests.
Opening Ceremonies, SkillsUSA, Kansas City, MO June 19-24, 2011
At the 2011 SkillsUSA Championships, 5,600 high school and postsecondary students gathered in Kansas City, MO to compete in 94 different trade competitions. The participants were all state winners, earning the right to compete at the national event.
It's not all about hands on skills. The competitors had to mix in their practiced trade skills with verbal challenges. Giving presentations about a project or conducting a meeting were all skills that were evaluated in all of the competitions including the welding segments.
The welding competitors were challenged in several categories, including the multifaceted national welding contest, welding fabrication and welding art/sculpture. The winner of the national welding contest was named to the SkillsUSA World team and competed in the world competition in London, England.
AWS President John Mendoza Talks About Welding at SkillsUSA
The American Welding Society is a strong supporter of SkillsUSA. AWS President John Mendoza helped kick off the welding competitions at the 2011 SkillsUSA National Skills and Leadership Conference knowing the country needs young welders to enter the workforce.
World Team Raises the Bar
Dozens of young welders from around the country competed in a spirited battle for the right to represent the United States as a part of the SkillsUSA World Team at the World Championships in London, England.
Through a series of testing stations, contestants had to perform and were judged on several welding disciplines, including MIG and TIG. The eventual national champion and silver winner at the World's in London was Brad Clink from Washtenaw Community College in Saline, MI. We also had a chance to talk to finalists Zack Brown of Leakesville, MS and Alex Pazkowski of Ann Arbor, MI.
SkillsUSA Sculpture Challenge 2011
The 2011 Welding Sculpture had contestants flexing their creative welding talents with a variety of inspired metal sculptures. Judges were looking for the imaginative ability and the practical skills of the competitor to design and produce a sculpture. The contestants also gave a presentation regarding all aspects of his or her creation including why they picked the design they did and how they met the challenges of the sculpture.
SkillsUSA Works
SkillsUSA is more than a contest; it's an opportunity to showcase abilities. It is an event designed for students to strive for the future and show off their skills to the world. While meeting the challenges of the contests, future experts and craftsman are learning the art of welding and ensuring a skilled workforce for the future.
Closing Ceremonies SkillsUSA Kansas City, MO
Check out the closing ceremonies held in Kansas City, MO this past June. Then be sure to book your calendars for SkillsUSA 2012 held in Kansas City, June 24-26.