Page 16 - HIWT Summer 2017 World of Welding

Skills USA National Competition – An Experience Like No Other

By Melinda Jeffery

I made my first visit to the Skills USA National Skills and Leadership and educators who were
Conference in Louisville, KY in June. As a representative of the there to support their kids,
Hobart Institute of Welding Technology, I was excited to see the judges who were more
welding, fabrication, cutting and welding sculpture competitions. than willing to explain the
I knew welding would be there, as it was the reason I was going. competition and how each
What I didn’t expect was the vast number of other competitions in was being judged, and most
areas I never thought of, and the skill level of the competitors in importantly, competitors
those areas. who were there representing
themselves and their schools
As I walked the in their chosen field of
convention center going study. These students were
from one area to the articulate, focused and
next, I was amazed at extremely prepared for what
the various technical life had ahead of them. I felt
areas of competition, as if I were looking at future
the professionalism leaders in the trades that
and comradery of the were represented. And I felt
competitors, and the proud; proud of them, proud
sheer magnitude of the to be there representing one of the many skilled trades that are in
competition itself. I am such demand and proud to be part of an institute that will educate
not entirely sure what and train the welding leaders of tomorrow as they work to continue
I was expecting to see, to build America.
but what I experienced
was beyond anything I
could have imagined. It
seemed every area of
high school technical
center education was
represented. I spoke
with proud parents

Melinda Jeffery, Marketing and Career Development Manager and Shanda
Allen, Curriculum Manager

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