Students to showcase their skills at SkillsUSA conference

Montana State University-Northern is once again hosting the State Leadership & Skills Conference, Monday through Wednesday of next week.

SkillsUSA is "a partnership of students, teachers and industry representatives working together to ensure that America continues to have skilled workers joining the workforce," SkillsUSA State Chair Cassie Huntley said.

SkillsUSA gives students, ranging from middle school to college, the opportunity to demonstrate their skills and readiness for careers in a variety of fields including automotive, culinary arts, welding and engineering. Students race against the clock to perform a set of tasks in front of a panel of judges, who then determine who receives the gold, silver and bronze medals.

Northern comes alive with the sights and sounds of students operating robots, hammering walls, repairing engines, producing digital video, coding computer programs, welding artistic treasures and demonstrating scores of other skills.

"Students will discover and grow their career passions and appreciate their own self-worth through the work and dedication of instructors, administrators and industry partners," Huntley said.

SkillsUSA chapters perform community service activities each years, using their skills to benefit their communities, hometowns and the country. Career and technical education students earn public respect through this event. This year all state chapters will help construct kids picnic tables, which will then be donated.

"We are addressing both the skills gap and skilled worker shortages. Our work is very much about America's future," Huntley said.

During this event, students will be able to attend workshops on team building. The keynote speaker will be Devin Fly who will talk on how students can turn their dreams into a reality by helping them realize the potential of vocational skills.

More than 300 students and advisors across the state will attend this event. Thirty contests are scheduled, offering competitions for high school to college students. Those who earn first place will be given an opportunity to attend the National Conference in Louisville, Kentucky, and compete against students from 53 states and territories.