Auto Repair Students Take on Technology at Skills USA Event
Last week (June 22-26, 2015), I had the opportunity to work as a lead judge at the Skills USA National Leadership and Skills Conference (NLSC) in Louisville, KY. Originally started in 1965, this annual competition features the top vocational students from across the country, brought together to compete in a skills exhibition. This year’s competition filled the Kentucky Exposition Center with over 20,000 students, teachers, industry leaders and attendees.
Students hard at work in the Mitchell 1 testing station at Skills USA
Each vocational discipline has 50 high school and 50 college students participating, based on placing first in their respective states. Our area was Automotive Service Technology, but there were a wide variety of different disciplines including criminal justice, masonry, culinary arts, urban search and rescue, cosmetology, telecommunications cabling, metal fabrication, and many, many more.
The Automotive Service Technology area had 15 stations for our students to complete. I was the lead judge for the Mitchell 1/Snap-on station featuring information lookups in ProDemand. Each student had 20 minutes to complete a 15-question multiple choice test at my station. Other stations included wheel alignment, vehicle body electrical diagnosis, electronic systems, brake service and diagnosis, automatic transmission service, etc.
Snap-on, Mitchell 1’s parent company, is also heavily involved with the Skills USA event. Snap-on has been a supporter of Skills USA for over 35 years. This year, our CEO, Nick Pinchuk was the keynote speaker for the opening ceremony. Also, if you take a look at the pictures, you’ll notice quite a few cool, iconic Snap-on tool boxes throughout the Automotive Service Technology competition area.
Overall, it was a very positive experience for both me and the students. I really enjoyed the opportunity to work with some of our brightest future technicians. After asking the students their perspective, they were also thrilled to have the chance to showcase their talents and compete with their peers.
SEE MORE PHOTOS of the Skills USA National Leadership and Skills Conference (NLSC)
Click the image to view the photos on the Mitchell 1 Facebook page.