Missouri Northeast District SkillsUSA Competition held in Macon

MACON, MO -- The 2020 SkillsUSA Northeast District Contest was held at the Macon Area Career and Technical Education Center (MACTEC) on Friday, February 7th, 2020. Competing area Career Centers include Brookfield, Hannibal, Kirksville, Mexico, Pike Lincoln, Moberly, and Macon. In several categories, results have yet to be determined do to being held in other locations, etc. those applicable are respectfully noted and will be updated when the results become available.

Students from the Macon Area Career and Technical Education Center received 1st Place in several categories including: Adyson Shears in Advertising Design, Caleb Bergfield in Carpentry, Matthew Lukowski in Computer Programming, Tyrel Enyard in Welding, and Brock Markway in T-Shirt Design.

For complete results inclusive of all schools, click on: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1ACpJ1w93EQwk4_mrd-1XNeb6i5Ph0BbVgd4d1v099PA/edit?usp=sharing

SkillsUSA is a student organization that is found in most career and technical education centers across the nation. It is estimated that their membership is sitting at roughly a half-a-million students who are enrolled in trade, technical and skilled occupations including health occupation. "SkillsUSA is a partnership of students, teachers and industry working together to ensure America has a skilled workforce. SkillsUSA helps each student excel," stated on the SkillsUSA Website. Stated on their website regarding the impact that the organization has, "SkillsUSA and career and technical education continue to play a vital role in enhancing American education and the future of America’s skilled workforce. Stay up to date on the latest research about CTSOs and CTE."

According to data provided by SkillsUSA, "Students who participate in CTSOs demonstrate higher levels of academic engagement and motivation, civic engagement, career self-efficacy and employability skills than other students. Additionally those who participate in school organizations in 10th grade have higher grade point averages and more likely to be enrolled in college at 21 than other students." According to the National Research Center for Career and Technical Education, participating in leadership and professional development activities in a CTSO raises students' educational aspirations.

SkillsUSA is working toward providing a solution to America's Skills Gap. According to data on their website, by 2020 the United States will need 10 million new skilled workers all while 600,000 skilled jobs are going unfilled now. 83% of companies report a moderate to serious shortage of skilled workers while 69% expect the shortage to grow worse in the next 3-5 years.

For more information about SkillsUSA, visit: https://www.skillsusa.org/

Pictures provided by the Macon Area Career and Technical Education Center