Nineteen students had an impressive showcase of skill and talent at the SkillsUSA state competitions, in 16 diverse categories that span across 10 program majors. This year, the competitions kicked off with the Welding and Welding Fabrication categories, on March 5 at Penn College of Technology.  

The broader State Leadership and Skills Conference are slated for April 3-5. Nearly 2,000 students from across Pennsylvania competed. The conference, primarily held in Hershey, encompasses events at various venues, including the Lebanon Expo Center, Lancaster CTC, Lebanon CTC, HAAC, and Thaddeus Stevens College. We were proud to host nine state competitions this year, marking a significant contribution to the statewide event, emphasizing our role in training the next generation of skilled professionals.  

Among the competitions hosted on our campus, the Metal Fabrication and Welding Technology department oversaw the Sheet Metal competition, while the Collision Repair Technology department hosted events in Automotive Refinishing Technology, Collision Damage Appraisal, and Collision Repair Technology. The Computer Integrated Machining department had contests in CNC 2-Axis Turning Specialist, CNC 3-Axis Milling Specialist, CNC 5-Axis Milling Specialist, CNC Programmer, and Precision Machining, drew in about 45 participants.  

A monumental achievement, 13 of our students earned Gold in 12 different categories.  This year, our students made notable achievements in the first round. In the SkillsUSA Pennsylvania State competitions for Welding and Welding Fabrication at Penn College, our students faced stiff competition from over 15 schools across the state. Now they are qualified for the National Leadership and Skills Conference set for June 24-28 in Atlanta, GA.  

These accomplishments are a testament to the dedication and expertise of both the students and their instructor, James Stewart, who has been instrumental in their preparation and success. As we look forward to the rest of the competitions, we celebrate the hard work and achievements of our students and faculty!