SkillsUSA: Champions at Work, Educated and Skilled to Lead America

“The value of Career and Technical Student Organizations (CTSO) to the overall development of our Career and Technical Education (CTE) students is immense,” said Dan Bohrnsen, CTE coordinator. “Students from our CTE classes have the opportunity to be involved in the SkillsUSA CTSO organization. This organization, or club, allows students to compete against other students in competitions that involve the use of the skills taught and developed in our CTE classes. An example of this would be the welding competition. Students that are currently enrolled in (or have already taken) a welding class compete against other students across the state in a competency test involving welding. In this particular event students take a structural welding test similar to what a welder would have to do in order to prove his or her competency for a construction company. Judges, usually from industry, evaluate the welds by visual and bend tests, just like in the real world, and a winner is chosen.”

Students also compete in leadership competitions. These competitions include: Job Interview, Prepared Speech, Extemporaneous Speech and Quiz Bowl. “Our SkillsUSA students that participate in the district, state, and national events get to experience what it’s like to compete in a competitive job market, which is very similar to what they will be experiencing when they compete in the world of work,” said Bohrnsen.

Alaska State SkillsUSA Competition Results, March 20 – 22, 2014

*Michael Lewis was elected to the position of State Vice-President

“The kids worked their tails off! They experienced true Performance Based Assessments at a national level. I’m very proud of our kids,” said Camron Wyatt, CTE Instructor Auto & Woods, Homer High School.

The 2014 Borough CTSO competition took place February 12, 2014, at Homer High School, with approximately eighty students from Homer High School, Kenai Central High School, Skyview High School, and Soldotna High School participating. Kevin Kiel, owner and operator, Napa of Homer was the keynote speaker. Thank you to the students and sponsors including A&D Services, City of Homer, Clark Management Inc., Dragonfly Nails by Dee, Larry Staehle, KPC welding instructor, Spenard Builders Supply Inc., Ulmers Drug and Hardware, and Wolverine Rock and Dirt.

Photos in this story are from the February competition at Homer High School.
Congratulations to KPBSD students!

2014 KPBSD CTSO Competition, February 12, 2014