“SkillsUSA is a career and leadership organization designed to get kids back into technical careers,” said North Platte High School senior Taylor Kramer, treasurer of SkillsUSA. “Back in the day, lots of people were in the technical careers, like welding, plumbing, masonry, and since then, people have been discouraging these careers saying that if you don’t go to a four-year college, then you’re not going to get a good job,” Kramer said. “The thing is that we need these technical careers that go to a two-year college, but we just don’t have a lot. So we’ve developed a skills gap where all of the people who were good at those things are retiring, and there’s not enough younger people or people who are in the middle to fill those spots. SkillsUSA is designed to fill those spots with kids who have talents that are needed.”

Many students aren’t aware of the range of contests that SkillsUSA offers. President of SkillsUSA at NPHS, senior Justin Henry, said, “There are contests everywhere from Cosmetology to Criminal Justice to welding and baking. It looks extremely good on a resume, not only if you compete, but if you win, you’re never going to be jobless.” Students who participate in SkillsUSA compete either as individual or as small teams, in their events.

Kramer said, “I joined SkillsUSA when I was a freshman, I heard about it in Mr. Winchester’s class, and I thought, ‘Whatever a speaking competition will be fine.’ I compete in the leadership division, I don’t do any of the technical careers. It’s given me the ability to speak in front of a crowd, and it’s given me a lot of skills I wouldn’t have if I weren’t in the organization.”

Our SkillsUSA team recently competed in a contest at Mid-Plains Community College. This competition was not sponsored by SkillsUSA, but had many of the contests offered. Seniors Justin Henry, Ivan Dobesh, Cole Joneson, and Dylan Thompson placed second in building construction, Senior Joe Theme placed first in auto mechanics, senior Johnny Seery placed first in electricity.  Junior Adam Hill placed first and senior Dylan Peterson placed second in advanced welding.