At Shadow Ridge High School there is an amazing class called Automotive Technology where students can learn the skills to work on and fix a car. Not only that, but auto tech learners can join a competition called Skills USA where they compete against other students from all over the nation. Students from different levels, such as Auto I, Auto II, or Advanced Auto Tech, can participate in the competition. Everyone who competes can expect to learn skills that help them progress not only in the competition, but also as an employable future automotive technician.
Austin Garrett is the teacher of Shadow’s Automotive programs and has all the information one would need to learn about the awesome Skills USA competition.
He says, “Skills USA is a national organization that prepares students for careers in technical, skilled, and service occupations. In automotive, the competition tests students on real-world skills such as diagnostics, electrical systems, brakes, engine performance, safety procedures, and professional work habits.”
The purpose of Skills USA is to assist learners in growing their abilities with the technology, as well as help them develop employable abilities that go along with standards in the industry.
Students participating in the SkillsUSA Automotive competition come from multiple automotive class levels within the program. Any student enrolled in automotive courses has the opportunity to qualify and compete.
Mr. Garrett says, “To prepare and be competitive, we focus on consistent practice, reviewing ASE-style questions, hands-on automotive labs, and time-management strategies. We also emphasize professionalism, teamwork, accuracy, and following proper repair procedures, skills that are critical to success in both competition and the automotive industry.”
According to Mr. Garret, the Skills USA regional automotive competition is located at Findlay Chevrolet and will take place on February 7th. From regionals, approximately the top 12 students will advance to the statewide SkillsUSA competition held in Reno from April 7th through April 10th.
For those automotive students interested, Garrett says, “We hold Skills USA meetings every Thursday, and as we get closer to the regional and state competitions, we add an additional meeting day each week to ensure students are well prepared.”
In a world full of automobiles that increase in number everyday, skilled auto technicians are needed to trouble shoot, and repair when things go wrong. Skills USA is just the right place for students to become hard working, and capable individuals who know what to do.
