TSTC campuses to host SkillsUSA high school district contests during February

(WACO, Texas) – Four of Texas State Technical College’s campuses will host secondary district SkillsUSA Texas conferences this month.

SkillsUSA is a professional organization teaching employability, leadership and technical skills helping middle school, high school and college students pursue successful careers and build a skilled workforce. SkillsUSA has more than 100 competitive events ranging from 3D Visualization and Animation to Welding Sculpture.

“This is a great way to recruit hundreds of students that are on our campuses and already have a head start on their professions,” said Isaac Gonzalez, TSTC’s statewide SkillsUSA coordinator and interim director of alignment for the Precision Machining Technology program.

The East Williamson County campus in Hutto will host District 10, made of high schools from Bell County to north of San Antonio, on Friday, Feb. 2, and Saturday, Feb. 3. The campus will host the Carpentry, Culinary Arts, HVACR (Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration), Plumbing and Welding contests.

“Hosting SkillsUSA is not just an event, but it is rather a unique opportunity for our small campus to shine on a larger stage,” said Brian Bohannon, TSTC’s instructional business manager for the Culinary Arts program. “As we open our doors to high school students, we provide them with an invaluable glimpse into the exceptional education experience that TSTC offers.”

The Harlingen campus will host District 13, formed by Rio Grande Valley high schools along with those in Brooks, Kenedy, Jim Hogg and Zapata counties. These contests will be held from Thursday, Feb. 15, to Saturday, Feb. 17.

“Students starting training at their high school is already a win, and with our instructors having that industry background, they can now teach the students about that industry base and allow for that student to succeed in his or her career,” Gonzalez said.

The Fort Bend County campus is hosting welding contests for District 9, encompassing an area from Washington County to Matagorda County, on Friday, Feb. 16.

The Waco campus will host District 6, consisting of high schools from Dallas County south to Falls County, east toward Freestone County, and west to Bosque County. The conference will be held from Thursday, Feb. 22, to Saturday, Feb. 24.

For more information on SkillsUSA, go to skillsusa.org.

For more information on TSTC, go to tstc.edu.