Last Friday 14 exuberant OWATC students received gold medals at the State SkillsUSA competition, qualifying them to compete at the national competition in Kansas City starting on June 25-30.  In all, 25 OWATC students received medals at the event held on the Campuses of Salt Lake Community College and the Ogden-Weber Applied Technology College. 

Students and instructors spent countless hours preparing for this competition, and the results were thrilling for those involved.  Jennifer Streker, Regional Skills USA Coordinator said, “It gives me goose bumps to see how much students can achieve in a short time.  I mean, many of these are high school students, and it’s incredible to see the imagination and expertise that they already have at their age.” 

SkillsUSA, formerly known as VICA, is important because it provides an incentive for students perfect their skills and rewards them with better employment opportunities.  Curtis Nielsen, program Director at OWATC, has been involved with Skills USA for 19 years.  He said it motivates students and instructors alike. “Students know that employers will be at these competitions looking for the best and brightest.  I also think it motivates us to be even better than we otherwise would.”  Streker agreed.  “This helps the students in so many ways.  They learn how to work under pressure, they learn leadership skills, and they get to see what else is happening in their industries.  By the end of the day they are so exhausted, but are even more excited.” 

Events such as these help fuel Northern Utah’s economic growth because, according to Weber Economic Development Corporation, the number one thing that attracts industry to Northern Utah is our highly skilled workforce.  With record low unemployment, it is essential that our workforce become as skilled as possible to fill the jobs that are already here.  Indeed, Department of Workforce Services reports that approximately 65% of the jobs in Utah require some training beyond a high school diploma but not a four-year degree.  These jobs are at the heart of SkillsUSA competitions, and according to OWATC, there are currently more jobs than graduates.  Collette Mercier, Vice President of Instruction at OWATC said, “We could double the number of students in machining, welding, the construction trades, and in health care and still place every student tomorrow.”

A total of 626 students competed on Thursday and Friday, and the gold medalists will go on to nationals. Last year more than 13,000 people descended on Kansas City for the event.  The SkillsUSA Championship is considered the largest single day of corporate volunteerism in America and is valued at $30 million in industry support of donated time, equipment, cash and material.  Students compete against each other and the clock, proving their expertise in occupations like sheet metal, machining, medical assisting, and culinary arts. 

OWATC State SkillsUSA Winners

For additional information or to set up interviews or a photo shoot, please contact:

Rhonda Boren
(801) 627-8389
borenr@owatc.edu