Windham Tech’s SkillsUSA program got off to a great start this year as 20 students, mostly sophomores, chose “Job Skills Demo” on club sign-up day. Job Skills Demo is a leadership competition which is part of the state SkillsUSA competition held each year in March. Job Skills Demo is one of 15 leadership competitions which, combined with the 20 shop competitions, make up the state competition. Unlike the shop competitions, the leadership competitions do not require a high score on the SkillsUSA shop tests given in January.  What they do require, however, is lots of hard work and practice to get the seven minute job skill demonstration just right. 

With thousands of dollars of prizes and scholarships at stake, as well as a possible trip to the SkillsUSA national competition in June, the hard work could pay big dividends.  At the state competition, 6 winners in each competition are called on stage, 3 receive trophies and prizes and one is invited to the national competition.  Last year, three of our 15 participants made it to the stage: Nick Lasch – 1st place AT Shop Competition, Corbett Bernier – 1st place HVAC Shop Competition, and James Turk 3rd place HVAC.  Other former SkillsUSA state champions include Julie Ashton (1st place Job Skills Demo- 2008) and our own Chef Brown (1st place CU Shop Competition – 200?)!

With our 20 Job Skills Demo entrants joining an expected 15-20 shop competitors, Windham Techs chances of coming up with another winner look very good this year. 

In order to pay for the trips to the state and national competitions, the SkillsUSA club will again be organizing a school wide Pie Sale in November.  Remember, while part of the proceeds will go to SkillsUSA, a large part will also go to your personal accounts to help pay for your prom, school photo and class trip expenses – so, once you get your pie sale packets …. SELL, SELL, SELL