Machine Tool Program dominates competition for third straight year

LINCOLN – Thirteen students spent the second weekend of April at Hastings Community College competing in the areas of machine tool, welding and automotive at the annual Skills USA state competition.
The state level competition is where students can go compete in the field in which they are going to school for.
“It gives them a chance to see how good they are in their field,” said Dan Zabel, co-chair of the welding department.
There are many fields of study included in the Skills USA organization, such as culinary arts, cabinet making, criminal justice, crime scene investigation, cosmetology, computer maintenance, computer repair, collision repair, motorcycle, small engines, automotive refinishing, automotive parts, machine tool and welding.
At the competitions, students are given a written test that lasts two to four hours. The next day, they are tested in hands on competitions that can last all day from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
On the final day, they hold the closing ceremonies and announce award recipients. There are three place winners in every category. The first place winners go to the national competition held in June.
This year, for the third year in a row, students from the SCC Lincoln Machine Tool Program have place first, second and third.
Placing first was Trevor Webster; second place went to Eric Modde; and coming in third place was Ryan Anderson.
The program also placed two more students in the top ten, Travis Johns with sixth place and Stephen Thompson at tenth place.
Aside from winning at local and national competitions, the program gives students a competitive edge in the job market.
Randy Koch, instructor of machine tool technology, explains that it’s essential for students to stand out when their resume is among the many.
“Skills USA on a resume is one of those ways that students can help themselves stand out,” said Koch.
Skills USA is a club that gives students a chance to compete in their educational field. Currently, about 20 students are involved with the Skills USA program from the Lincoln campus.