Mid-State Technical College hosted its largest SkillsUSA® competition to date on Friday, Jan. 20. Eighty-three students from 11 local school districts gathered on the Wisconsin Rapids campus for Mid-State’s first Regional SkillsUSA® Competition. 

Middle and high school students representing Antigo, Golda Meir, Marshall, Marshfield, Merrill, Oregon, Palmyra-Eagle, Stevens Point, Wausau East and West, Wittenberg-Birnamwood and Wisconsin Rapids schools had the opportunity to compete in 17 different career and technical education events, including Job Interview, Prepared Speech, Related Technical Math, Welding, Precision Machining, Carpentry and more.

"SkillsUSA® Wisconsin students and advisors were so excited to kick off the first of six regional competitions last week at Mid-State Technical College,” said Jen Reese, SkillsUSA® Wisconsin event coordinator. “The individual and team competitions that students participate in provide meaningful career exploration and develop personal, workplace and technical skills grounded in academics."

Students that placed in the regional competition will advance to the State Leadership & Skills Conference (SLSC) that will be hosted in Madison this April. 

“Mid-State is proud to host our first Regional SkillsUSA® Competition and to be a part of this invaluable experience for the competitors and event volunteers,” said Deb Stencil, Mid-State vice president of academics. “We value our partnership with SkillsUSA® and look forward to these competitions and our own students competing at the state and national levels this year.”

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.

Mid-State has an established SkillsUSA® club and has had students compete at the national level for the last eight consecutive years. Learn more about Mid-State’s clubs and organizations at mstc.edu/student-life/clubs-and-organizations.