Mid-State Technical College student Maggie Hirzy competes in the Computer Numerical Controlled (CNC) Milling competition at the National Leadership & Skills Conference in June. Hirzy finished tenth in the national competition. (Contributed Photo)

For the City Times

Mid-State Technical College students Maggie Hirzy, Stevens Point, and Jordan Esselman, Chili, won national recognition at the 2016 SkillsUSA Championships held June 22 and 23.

The students were among 6,000 students in the annual workforce development event, which showcases career and technical education. Hirzy competed in the event’s Computer Numerical Controlled (CNC) Milling competition. Esselman, competed in the Automotive Service Technology competition. Both took tenth place in their respective competitions and were awarded a Skill Point Certificate.

The SkillsUSA Championships is a multi-million dollar event that spans the space of 16 football fields, making it the largest skills competition in the world. The event gives students a chance to demonstrate their technical, workplace and personal skills in 105 hands-on competitions, including robotics, automotive technology, drafting, criminal justice, aviation maintenance and public speaking.

This year’s event drew on the expertise of industry leaders from 600 businesses, corporations, trade associations and unions and more than 1,700 industry judges and technical committee members. Students who met a predetermined threshold score in their competition were awarded Skill Point Certificates in 86 occupational and leadership areas to students.

Mid-State Technical College student Jordan Esselman competes in the Automotive Service Technology category at the National Leadership & Skills Conference in June. Esselman finished tenth in the national competition. (Contributed Photo)

SkillsUSA, a national nonprofit organization, describes itself as “a partnership of students, teachers and industry representatives working together to ensure America has a skilled workforce.” In recent years, Mid-State has grown the number of participants and the SkillsUSA events they participate in, and Mid-State organizers expect that trend to continue and expand into additional program areas in the future.

To learn more about Mid-State programs and services, please call 888.575.6782 or visit the college’s website at www.mstc.edu.