SkillsUSA Nationals 2023 - Construction
Each year students at SEATech Skills Center are asked to join SkillsUSA. SkillsUSA is an educational organization for students pursuing opportunities in trades, technical and skilled service occupations, including health occupations. Mr. Matson, the Construction Technology instructor, has been encouraging students for eight years now to step out of their comfort zone and join the ever-so-popular world of CTSOs. What is a CTSO anyway? CTSO stands for Career and Technical Student Organization. CTSOs are an essential component of CTE model because they give students opportunities to develop professional skills that will help in their careers while building connections with peers. (Hummel, Brad. What Is a CTSO and How Do I Start a Chapter? April 4th, 2023)
Mr. Matson has hosted and attended multiple competitions throughout the years. Some of the technical and leadership competitions have included carpentry, plumbing, electrical, masonry, speech, and job interviews. He has always shown an interest in a team competition as well. Last winter he took the plunge and it was quite a hit. He introduced a competition to his class called, “Teamworks.” This competition is designed to evaluate a team’s preparation for employment and to recognize outstanding students for excellence and professionalism in the field of residential carpentry, roofing, masonry, plumbing, electrical, and teamwork skills.
On April 12, 2023, three teams traveled to Tacoma, Washington, to compete at the SkillsUSA State Competition. Only one team could earn the first-place title and move on to the National Conference in Atlanta, Georgia. This team included four second-year students from the Construction Technology program. Students practiced all year during and after school not knowing this would be the outcome. Will Anderson, Edgar Meza, Daniel Esquivel, and Brad Tilley led this team for the first time in Walla Walla History. On June 17, 2024, they were off to Atlanta to compete for the National Title.
The Teamworks competition is one of those competitions that really tests their knowledge and skills. Students have three grueling days to complete the competition. On day one students are introduced to the building project. They are given a set of blueprints and guidance on what is expected. They have to provide a resume, an OSHA 1O certification card, and pass an online test to even compete. Students are required to prepare a presentation prior to the competition identifying all of the safety concerns as well as their scope and sequence of work. Putting their team skills to work is why they are there. The next two days are the most challenging. They are building a small eight-foot square structure from the ground up utilizing their carpentry, electrical, masonry, and plumbing skills. Supporting each other, focusing on what needs to be done, and pushing through challenges that arise are key to finishing strong.
In the end, the Walla Walla team did not bring home the gold. They did finish in the top twenty-five in the nation though. Out of fifty states, that is amazing! SEATech will continue to be a force to be reckoned with. Watch out 2024 Teamworks, they will be back.
