Robert Koval, a student in the Diesel Technology Program at Central Lakes College earned first place honors in the state SkillsUSA contest held in Bloomington, MN on April 5-7, 2013. CLC students Jason Peterson, Machine Tool Technology Program and Colby Abazs, Photography Program won second place in their categories. Seth Schbert placed third in the Diesel Equipment Technology competition.
The SkillsUSA Championships, held as part of the SkillsUSA 46th annual State Leadership and Skills Conference is a showcase of career and technical education students.
During the state competition, students worked against the clock and each other, proving their expertise in occupations like welding, computer-aided drafting, precision machining, medical assisting and culinary arts. All contests are run with the help of over 500 industry, trade associations, and labor organizations, and test competencies are set by industry. In addition, leadership contestants demonstrated their skills, which included extemporaneous speaking and conducting meetings by parliamentary procedure.
Top student winners received gold, silver and bronze medallions. Many also received prizes such as tools of their trade and/or scholarships to further their careers. The SkillsUSA Championships are for high school and college-level students who are members of SkillsUSA. SkillsUSA first place winners will represent Minnesota in Kansas City on June 24-28, 2013 at the National Leadership and Skills Conference.
SkillsUSA is a national partnership of students, teachers and industry, working together to ensure America has a skilled workforce. SkillsUSA chapters help students who are preparing for careers in technical, skilled and service occupations excel. SkillsUSA has more than 300,000 students and instructors as members.
