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. 19, on the Wisconsin Rapids Campus. 

Participants have the opportunity to compete in nearly 20 different career and technical education events, including Job Interview, Prepared Speech, Related Technical Math, Welding Sculpture, Precision Machining, Carpentry and more. Students may compete in one leadership or occupational contest. 

“We hosted over 80 students representing nearly a dozen local school districts at our first SkillsUSA regional competition last year,” said Jackie Esselman, dean of Recruitment and Admissions. “We are excited to continue this tradition of providing career and technical education opportunities to high school and middle school students in our community.” 

Mid-State faculty and industry professionals will serve as judges for the competition. Students who win their competition are eligible to compete at the SkillsUSA State Leadership and Skills Conference in April in Madison.

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. 5. Learn more at mstc.edu/skillsusa-regional.