2016 State Conference Press Release

[Minneapolis, MN, April 5, 2016] – There is a solution to the current and future demand for a skilled workforce. Jobs are available right here in our state; they are waiting for people with the right skills. Those people are graduating from career and technical education [CTE] programs. The future workforce of Minnesota were on display at the SkillsUSA 49th annual Championships competitions which were held on April 1st, 2nd, and 3rd, 2016 in Bloomington, MN.

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The conference was a showcase of career and technical education students where more than 800 outstanding career and technical education students competed in 75 hands-­?on trade, technical and leadership contests. Minnesota state technical and community colleges & high school students captured 359 gold, silver and bronze medals during the SkillsUSA Minnesota 2016 State Leadership and Skills Conference, at the DoubleTree Hotel in Bloomington on Sunday, April 3, 2016 during the awards ceremony. Hundreds of career and technical education students from high schools and colleges across the state compete in contests demonstrating their skills in career areas including manufacturing, transportation, construction, hospitality and human services.

“These students are demonstrating more than just their skills; they are proving that our workforce is prepared to lead the way in every technical area our country needs to maintain a strong global economic presence,” said Ms. Jennifer Polz, State Association Director. “CTE is learning that works for America, and we are very proud of this talented group of students who are true champions dedicated to excellence in their trades.”

During the competition, students will work against the clock and each other, proving their expertise in occupations such as electronics, computer-­?aided drafting, precision machining, automotive service, medical assisting and culinary arts. All contests are run with the help of industry experts, trade associations and labor organizations, and test competencies are set by professional industry standards.

The first winners will go on to compete in the national SkillsUSA Championships this June in Louisville, Kentucky.

A list of the all of the winners is attached along with a list of all of the competition categories is available online at hhttp://www.mnskillsusa.org/

Gold Chapters of Distinction Awards were recognized on Sunday morning to three SkillsUSA Chapters for outstanding and dedicated service at the local, and state level. They were: Mounds View High School, Tartan High School and SouthWest Metro Educational Cooperative.

Friday afternoon’s featured Keynote speaker was Mr. Allan Law: “The Sandwich Man” and his 363 Food Program. Mr. Allan Law shares his story of why he has been helping the homeless on the streets of Minneapolis every night for decades, and his inspiring story of how he got his name and why he does what he does each day, 'Sandwich Man' Delivers Helping of Hope to Hungry, and how volunteers can simply help in this cause. The link includes historical MRD footage, scenes showing Allan working on the streets at night, and insights into the homeless community being served thanks to the efforts of many groups! SkillsUSA students, advisors, and alumni participated Friday afternoon in making 1,000 sandwiches’, a small way SkillsUSA was helping make a difference with a state wide service project during Championship weekend.

Honorary medallion presenters Sunday morning included: President Terry Gaalswyk, MN West Community and Technical College, President Merrill Irving, Jr., Hennepin Technical College, Ms. Jill Stewart-­?Kellar, Principal, Career & Technical Center, NE Metro 916, Ms. Debbie Belfry, Career and Technical Development Coordinator, Bloomington Public Schools, Ms. Emily Saed, Executive Director, MN Foundation for Student Organizations SkillsUSA Advisors of the Year for 2016 were announced: College Division: Ms. Dawn Goebel, Cosmetology Instructor from Century College, and Mr. John Raasch, Photography Instructor from SouthWest Metro Educational Cooperative, Chaska, MN. Youngblood Lumber Inc. was awarded the 2016 Industry Partner of the Year, and receiving the Friends of SkillsUSA award for 2016 was awarded to Mr. Greg Olsen, volunteer for over 30 years for the Collision Repair Technical Committee.

SkillsUSA is a vital solution to the growing U.S. skills gap. This nonprofit partnership of students, instructors and industry ensures America has the skilled workforce it needs to stay competitive. Founded in 1965 and endorsed by the U.S. Department of Education, the association serves more than 300,000 member students and instructors each year in middle schools, high schools and colleges. This diverse talent pipeline covers 130 trades, technical and skilled service occupations, the majority STEM-­?related. More than 600 corporations, trade associations, businesses and labor unions actively support SkillsUSA at the national level.

SkillsUSA programs are integrated into career and technical education through a framework of personal, workplace and technical skills grounded in academics. Local, state and national championships, designed and judged by industry, set relevant standards for career and technical education and provide needed recognition to its students. SkillsUSA also offers technical skill assessments and other workplace credentials. For more information about SkillsUSA Minnesota please visit http://www.mnskillsusa.org/

For more information, visit http://www.mnskillsusa.org or http://www.skillsusa.org/events/nlsc.shtml

Sincerely,
Ms. Jennifer Polz, Executive Director
SkillsUSA Minnesota