Regional SkillsUSA competition at Stratton Air National Guard Base on Wednesday, March 14

Related Media

Students competing at the SkillsUSA competition at Stratton Air National Guard Base in 2016.

STRATTON AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE, SCOTIA, NY (03/13/2018) (readMedia)-- Over 300 high school students from the Capital Region and other schools will be here on March 14 to test their skills in everything from heavy equipment operation to heating equipment repair and nursing as part of the annual SkillsUSA competition.

WHO: More than 300 students from Capital Region BOCES, Questar III, Washington-Saratoga-Warren-Hamilton-Essex BOCES.

WHAT: Regional SkillsUSA Competition at which participants for a state competition in Syracuse in April will be chosen.

WHEN: 9:30a.m. to 11:00 a.m., Wednesday, March 14, 2018

WHERE: Stratton Air National Guard Base, 1 Air National Guard Road, Scotia, NY 12302

For access to this secure military facility, members of the media must contact Master. Sgt. Catharine Schmidt at (518) 344-2423 by Wednesday at 8 a.m.

Media Opportunity:

Reporters can view the competition, speak with students, and interview educators about their role in boosting the community and supporting students and educators.

BACKGROUND

Comments from Col. Michelle Kilgore, Commander of the 109th Airlift Wing

"Being able to host this event for students allows us the opportunity to serve our community in another capacity, focusing on the next generation of future leaders in the surrounding areas," said Col. Michele Kilgore, 109th AW commander. "We are honored to be part of the SkillsUSA program and wish all of the students the best of luck as they demonstrate their technical skills

Comments from Denis Capece, executive principle of Capital Region BOCES

"This is an important competition as it reinforces the value of these skills and these jobs with the students while allowing them to interact with their peers with similar interests," said Denise Capece, executive principal of Capital Region BOCES CTE. "According to our business partners, the need for students to have these skills and to prepare to fill the middle skills jobs gap has never been greater."

Skills USA

SkillsUSA is a national organization for career and technical education students, and competitions are held annually at the regional, state and national levels. Business and industry leaders serve as judges during the competition. At Capital Region BOCES Career and Technical Center (CTE), SkillsUSA members are school leaders and good citizens. They organize campus-wide events such as holiday food and fund drives, community service projects and blood drives.

SkillsUSA members also serve as school ambassadors, welcoming guests to such Career & Tech events as the fall open house and BOCES Annual Meeting.