Empowering Future Craftsmen: A Look at the Annual Job SkillsUSA Competition
SkillsUSA is a pivotal national organization dedicated to nurturing middle school, high school, and college students who are venturing into careers in trade, technical, and skilled service occupations. With a mission to cultivate world-class workers, leaders, and responsible American citizens, SkillsUSA focuses on enhancing the personal, workplace, and technical skills grounded in academic excellence. Central to its endeavor is the hosting of competitive events at local, state, and national levels.
Hawaii’s Commitment to Excellence
In Hawaii, the annual Job SkillsUSA Competition, generously sponsored by the Hawaii Carpenter’s Apprenticeship & Training Fund (HCATF), stands as a testament to the commitment to craft career-ready students. This prestigious event is not merely a competition; it’s a comprehensive hands-on experience that allows students to apply, test, and showcase their skills in a real-world setting.
A Word From Leadership
Edmund Aczon, Executive Director of HCATF, emphasizes the significance of the competition: “We are committed to equipping students with the necessary skills, attitudes, and values that position them advantageously in the workforce. Our role is to lay out the blueprint for their career readiness, focusing on traits that make them both productive and promotable.”
2020 Competition Highlights
The excitement of the 2020 competition unfolded at the HCATF Training Center in Kapolei on February 26, where eleven talented students from five high schools across Hawaii participated. The event was segmented into two primary categories: rough carpentry and finish carpentry, challenging students to interpret blueprints and construct according to precise specifications.
In the rough carpentry section, participants constructed a partial house frame, showcasing their skills in building stairs, window frames, and other structural elements. Meanwhile, the finish carpentry contenders demonstrated their finesse by crafting complete cabinets with intricate details such as flush doors and sliding drawers. The competition culminated with students from Maui High School claiming victory in both categories, a proud moment for all involved.
Conclusion
The annual Job SkillsUSA Hawaii Competition is more than an event; it’s a cultivation of the next generation of skilled craftsmen and women. Through rigorous competition and real-world challenges, students gain invaluable experience and skills that extend beyond the workshop and into their future careers. We extend our congratulations to all participants, especially to Jesse Bulusan and Jeriel Dumlao for their impressive victories.
Learn More and Get Involved
SkillsUSA is acknowledged by the U.S. Department of Education as an exemplary model of employer-driven youth development training. To learn more about how you can support or participate in SkillsUSA and its various initiatives, visit www.skillsusa.org.
