On January 9, the Steamfitters Technology Center hosted the Skills USA District 10 competition, a contest for high school students who are on track to enter trade careers. Ten career and technology schools from across the region gathered, giving students the opportunity to show off their skills in a competitive manner.
“They’re athletes in their trade, and this [competition] gives them an amazing opportunity to put the skills they’ve learned in their vocational classes to the test,” said 3-man fabrication team Chairman Travis Crate.
The competition featured two main events: 3-man welding fabrication, a team event that stimulates the metal production workflow, and single-person welding, where students are challenged to complete steel and aluminum projects.
“Students get an up-close look at what it’s like to work in the industry at the elite level,” said welding Chairman Ted Zablocki. “They’re standing right there working side-by-side with real apprentices that work in the field.”
3-man fabrication event results:
- 1st Place: Venango Technology Center
- 2nd Place: Mercer County Career Center
- 3rd Place: Lenape Technical School
Welding event results:
- 1st Place: Venango Technology Center
- 2nd Place: Lenape Technical School
- 3rd Place: Crawford County Technical Center
First-place teams will advance to the state competition in their categories in March at Penn College in Williamsport.