SkillsUSA Competitions are a tremendous way to give students real-word experience through competitive career events that run the gamut from engineering to welding to automotive to culinary arts to entrepreneurship.
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The theme for the 2022-2023 school year is “SkillsUSA: The Time is Now.” This theme challenges students to prove they have the tools and the confidence to take on further education or enter the workforce within their chosen career field. This theme is an excellent opportunity for students to really think about their workplace readiness and their futures.
SkillsUSA has already had a major impact on students. Research from the Student Research Foundation shows the majority of surveyed SkillsUSA members feel they are engaged in relevant career and technical education (CTE) coursework that prepares them for the future. Key findings from this study show that:
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- SkillsUSA members are more excited about school and have clearer plans than their CTE peers to pursue careers upon graduation from high school.
- Girls, students of color and students at low socio-economic schools all showed improved outcomes from participating in SkillsUSA while in a CTE classroom.
- Increasing access to SkillsUSA participation as a part of CTE is one way of increasing equity in educational outcomes.
The results speak for themselves. SkillsUSA has imprinted on students in a way that not only prepares them for their future careers, but also excites them for these careers.
The SkillsUSA Competitions help to prepare students for future careers by challenging them to think critically, work in teams, and complete assignments that align to industry standards, such as the American Welding Society (AWS) or the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE). So it’s important that students train on teaching equipment that also aligns with these standards.
This year, there are a few “demonstration” competitions, which means SkillsUSA will demonstrate what the competition is about instead of involving students. These are for CNC 5-Axis Milling Programmer, Commercial Roofing, Commercial sUAS Drones, Emergency Medical Technician, Leadership in Facility Management, and Heavy Equipment Operation. Demonstration competitions typically evolve into full fledged competitions in which students compete in later years.
Here at Amtek, we are proud to support several of the competitions this year. We offer equipment for each of the following competitions, including a couple of the Demonstration Competitions:
Additive Manufacturing
(Team of 2) Additive manufacturing, also known as 3D Printing, embraces a wide range of materials and derivative processes to build parts suitable for end-use service. The virtually unlimited design freedom enabled by additive manufacturing allows the creation of shapes and the integration of feature and function that previously required sub-assemblies. Employment opportunities for design engineers are growing as the industry adopts additive manufacturing methods and applies the practice to various parts of their business from prototyping to end use parts.
Collision Repair Technology
Competitors demonstrate their ability to perform jobs and skills based on the task list outlined by the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) and the ASE Education Foundation. The competition includes a series of workstations to assess skills in the following areas: metal straightening, attachment methods, plastic repair and structural analysis. The overall appearance of the finished product, speed and proper safety practices are judged. There are written tests on estimating, structural analysis, and an ASE exam. The students fill out a job application, bring a resume, and go through a mock interview.
Commercial sUAS Drone (Demonstration)
(Team of 2) This competition is designed to evaluate team members’ skills and preparation for employment in multiple career fields related to the safe and efficient use of drone technology in the National Airspace System and to recognize outstanding performance by participants in real-world, scenario-based situations.
Diesel Equipment Technology
Competitors cycle through fourteen stations testing and troubleshooting engines, electrical and electronics systems, powertrain systems including chassis, transmissions and carriers. Competitors demonstrate skills in hydraulic systems, vehicle inspections, fundamental failure analysis, brake systems, air-conditioning systems and general shop skills. Competitors also perform a job interview and complete a written test.
Heavy Equipment Operation Demonstration (Demonstration Contest)
Heavy Equipment Operators are needed on construction sites all over the country now more than ever. Students should have knowledge of equipment operation, day to day maintenance and activities (such as surveying and blueprint reading) on various machines in different applications. The competition will evaluate each contestant’s preparation for employment and recognize outstanding students for excellence and professionalism in the field of Heavy Equipment Operation.
Mechatronics
(Team of 2) The competition requires competitors to have the ability to understand complex systems that integrate various elements in the mechanical, fluid power and controls domain, combined with the ability to work in a team environment with people with different areas of expertise. Mechatronic specialists must have well developed skills in pneumatic technology, electrical and electronics systems, mechanical systems and general automation techniques and practices, including systematic troubleshooting methods. This competition consists of three events designed to measure the skills required in the modern automated manufacturing environment. Competitors are required to assemble, adjust and test an automated machine system, troubleshoot and repair a faulty machine system and take a comprehensive written test. The competition elements have been designed to be as realistic as possible, closely resembling the tasks and activities of modern automation professionals. In addition, there is an individual oral interview. College/postsecondary teams are required to provide their own PLC that will be used in the construction phase.
Robotics and Automation Technology
(Team of 2) This competition challenges two-person teams to demonstrate operation of a five-axis servo-robot along with a set of sensors and motorized devices to resolve a production process problem. Teams set up and demonstrate operation of a robotic workcell from a word problem. Competitors also utilize and program a Siemens LOGO PLC as part of the contest as well as a Cognex vision camera. Competitors are required to create a flowchart and sequence of operation. Teams are also judged on efficiency, speed and teamwork.
Technical Drafting
The competition evaluates a competitor’s preparation for employment and recognizes outstanding students for excellence and professionalism in the field of technical drafting. The competition will focus on the solution of industry-developed problems by applying appropriate technical drafting skills and tools including computer-aided drafting (CAD).
Welding
Competitors receive competition drawings and a set of welding procedure specifications that conform to the latest edition of the American Welding Society standards. At a series of stations, competitors are tested on various aspects of welding: measuring weld replicas, using weld measuring gauges; laying out a plate and using oxy-acetylene equipment to cut several holes that are checked for accuracy and quality; gas metal arc welding (GMAW) on steel making welds in various positions using short circuiting transfers; flux cored arc welding (FCAW) using a shielding gas, making welds in various positions and, using a combination machine capable of providing the correct welding current for shielded metal arc (SMAW) and gas tungsten arc welding (GTAW). Competitors complete the steel project and weld an aluminum project in various positions using a variety of filler metals.
You can find a full list of Competition Descriptions on the SkillsUSA website here.
If you are in need of equipment for your students to compete in any of the Competitions, find a list of compatible equipment here.
