Bay College to host SkillsUSA competition
ESCANABA — February has been designated as Career and Technical Education Month in Michigan. Career and Technical Education provides Michigan high school students experience in practical, meaningful applications of basic skills such as reading, writing, and mathematics, which helps improve the quality of their education.
It motivates potential dropouts and gives all students leadership opportunities in their field and in their communities. It provides individuals lifelong opportunities to learn new skills, which provide them with career choices, a school-to-careers connection and is the backbone of a strong, well-educated workforce.
With the ever-increasing cooperative efforts of career and technical educators, business, and industry stimulate the growth and vitality of our local economy and that of the entire nation by preparing graduates for career fields forecast to experience the largest and fastest growth in the next decade.
The best career and technical students from across the Upper Peninsula will compete in various skills categories on Friday, February 3, 2017, in the annual SkillsUSA competition hosted by Bay College. This year’s program will begin at 9:45 a.m. with registration in the student cafeteria and will conclude at 3:00 p.m. with an awards ceremony.
Student competitions are held in Automotive, Computer Maintenance Technology, Precision Machining Technology, and Welding.
This year Bay College will award four $1,500 scholarships to students who place first in the overall categories, and four $500 scholarships to students who place second in the overall categories.
SkillsUSA is a national organization serving high school and college students and professional members enrolled in training programs in technical, skilled, and service occupations, including health occupations in high schools and college/technical schools. SkillsUSA programs include local, state and national competitions in which students demonstrate occupational and leadership skills. National SkillsUSA week will be celebrated February 5-11, 2017.
Students, who place in their respective skills category, will qualify to compete in a statewide competition in Lansing, Michigan in the spring. Interested students should contact their school advisors or Mary Dittrich, Bay College, Business and Technology, at 906-217-4081 for more information.