Mid-State Technical College will call high school and middle school students from across the state to compete in the Regional SkillsUSA® Competition on Friday, Jan. 20, on the Wisconsin Rapids Campus. Participants have the opportunity to compete in 17 different career and technical education events, including Job Interview, Prepared Speech, Related Technical Math, Welding Sculpture, Precision Machining, Carpentry and more. Mid-State faculty and industry professionals will serve as judges for the competition. 

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.

“Mid-State is honored to host this well-known competitive event for middle and high school students from all around Wisconsin,” said Ryan Kawski, dean, School of Applied Technology. “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 added, “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.”

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.

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.