TSTC students train for upcoming SkillsUSA Texas conference in Houston

(HUTTO, Texas) – Twenty students from Texas State Technical College’s East Williamson County location are preparing to showcase their knowledge and skills.

The students will compete at the 2024 SkillsUSA Texas Postsecondary Leadership and Skills Conference taking place from Thursday, April 18, to Saturday, April 20, in Houston.

“It (SkillsUSA) helps you build your success,” said Brian Bohannon, a SkillsUSA campus coordinator and Culinary Arts instructor at TSTC’s East Williamson County location. “You can make networking contacts. It helps you get to the top of your game above others.”

SkillsUSA is a professional organization focused on employability, leadership and technical skills that can help college students pursue successful careers and be part of a skilled workforce. SkillsUSA has more than 100 categories in which students can complete.

Nicholas Luckie, of Lago Vista, will return to the conference for his second year. He will again participate in the Baking and Pastry Arts contest.

Luckie, a Culinary Arts student, has worked on Fridays testing recipes and practicing cake icing skills.

“I want to see how I respond and how I compare to others,” he said.

Several students are competing in SkillsUSA for the first time.

Manuel Barron and Kyle Grider, both of Hutto, are Precision Machining Technology students. Barron will take part in the CNC 2-Axis Turning Programmer contest, and Grider will compete in the CNC 3-Axis Milling Programmer contest.

Both students have been learning how to use Mastercam, a computer-aided manufacturing and design software suite, in preparation for the competition.

“It would be great to get a medal,” Barron said. “I will put in all my effort and see what I can do.”

Grider said being in SkillsUSA will be good for his resume. He said he wanted to get out of his comfort zone and challenge himself.

East Williamson County students will also compete in Automated Manufacturing Technology, Information Technology Services, Prepared Speech and other contests.

Gold medalists are eligible to advance to the 60th annual SkillsUSA National Leadership and Skills Conference being held June 24-28 in Atlanta, Georgia.

For more information on SkillsUSA Texas, go to skillsusatx.org.

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