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Aspiring Home Building Professionals Compete in SkillsUSA Competition

Workforce Development
Published
Contact: Greg Zick
[email protected]
AVP, Workforce Development
(202) 266-8493

Students at SkillsUSA Washington Competition. Credit: Sailor Rozema / BIA Washington
Students working to construct fixtures at the SkillsUSA Washington competition. Photo credit: Sailor Rozema / BIA Washington 
Students at SkillsUSA Washington Competition. Credit: Sailor Rozema / BIA Washington
Students measuring frames at the SkillsUSA Washington competition. Photo credit: Sailor Rozema / BIA Washington 
Students at SkillsUSA Washington Competition. Credit: Sailor Rozema / BIA Washington
Students using power tools at the SkillsUSA Washington competition. Photo credit: Sailor Rozema / BIA Washington 
Students at SkillsUSA Washington Competition. Credit: Sailor Rozema / BIA Washington
Pierce County Skills Center students won the gold medal in carpentry at the SkillsUSA Washington competition. Photo credit: Sailor Rozema / BIA Washington

The talents of a diverse group of aspiring home building professionals were on display last month as thousands of students from Washington state put their skills to the test in the statewide SkillsUSA competition.

The event, which boasted more than 90 different competitions ranging from industrial motor control to plumbing, showcased the students’ real-world skills in front of industry professional judges.

“It was a very successful event,” said Al Audette, education and workforce development director for the Building Industry Association of Washington. “Our members had a great time seeing what students are doing in shop classes around the state.”

NAHB’s strong partnership with SkillsUSA, the national education nonprofit, continues to drive a targeted effort on enhancing workforce development and addressing the nation’s skilled labor shortage.

“The students not only had exposure to what other schools around the state are doing,” said Audette, “they were also able to learn from our members who served as mentors.”

SkillsUSA will host 53 key state-level competitions — including events in Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands — throughout the spring. 

Winners from around the nation will ultimately compete during the SkillsUSA National Leadership and Skills Conference in Atlanta June 24-28. 

NAHB encourages its members to get involved and help attract budding talent in residential construction to take part in SkillsUSA activities. Learn more about NAHB’s partnership with SkillsUSA at nahb.org.

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