Midland College students excel at state SkillsUSA competitionApril 18, 2019

On April 4-7, Midland College (MC) students competed in several contests at the SkillsUSA state conference in Corpus Christi. 

SkillsUSA is a national program whose mission is to improve the quality of our nation’s future skilled workforce through the development of framework competencies that include personal, workplace and technical skills grounded in academics.

Billy Wiggins, Diesel Technology student enrolled through dual credit at Midland College and Lee High School, received 1st place in the Diesel Equipment Technology contest. Wiggins will now move on to compete at the national level in Louisville Kentucky, on June 24-28. He also received superior ratings on his project.

Elias Banda, Automotive Technology student enrolled through dual credit at Midland College and Midland High School, competed in the Automobile Light Duty Maintenance and Repair contest. He placed in the top 10, and received superior ratings on his project.

Beniah Hernandez, Automotive Refinishing/Collision student enrolled through dual credit at Midland College and Lee High School, competed in Collision Damage Appraisal and Collision Repair contests. She placed in the top 10 and received excellence ratings on her project.

“We are extremely proud of these students and our automotive and diesel dual credit programs,” said Curt Pervier, MC dean of Applied Technology.  “These students are receiving training for in-demand skills while still in high school.  When they graduate with a high school diploma, they will have entry-level certificates in skills that are needed in the Permian Basin, and they will be able to take advanced courses leading to Associate of Applied Science degrees. The fact that Midland College students excel at the state SkillsUSA level is a testimony to the dedicated faculty that we have in our technical programs.”

Erick Gutierrez, MC assistant professor of Automotive Technology and Diesel Technology, coordinates MC’s participation in SkillsUSA.

Photo:  Erick Gutierrez (left), Midland College assistant professor of Automotive Technology and Diesel Technology and Billy Wiggins (right), 1st place winner in Texas SkillsUSA Diesel Equipment Technology contest, at SkillsUSA state competition in Corpus Christi.