Midland College Diesel Technology student places in top half at SkillsUSA competitionsJuly 02, 2019

Each year, students from Lee High School and Midland High School who are currently enrolled in Midland College dual credit Automotive Technology, Automotive Refinishing and Diesel Technology courses participate in SkillsUSA competitions. The competitions begin at the regional level and advance to the state and finally the national levels. 

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

Lee High School student Billy Wiggins, who is enrolled in the Midland College Diesel Technology dual credit program, received 1st place in the Texas Diesel Equipment Technology Skills USA contest. He also received superior ratings on his project at the state level.

On June 24-28, Wiggins competed with all other first place winners from every U.S. state and territory in the SkillsUSA National Competition in Louisville, KY. During the contest, Wiggins and other contestants cycled through a series of stations where they serviced and repaired electrical systems, transmissions, hydraulic systems, diesel engines, drive trains, brakes and cab components. Equipment used during the contest varied from trucks, construction equipment, farm equipment and specialized training equipment.  The contest also included a written exam to assess knowledge of principles, theories and procedures used in diesel technology.  Wiggins placed 14th (top half) in the diesel portion of the National SkillsUSA Competition.

“We are extremely proud of Billy,” said Curt Pervier, MC dean of Applied Technology.  “Billy and other students in our dual credit automotive and diesel technology programs 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 competitions such as SkillsUSA is a testimony to the dedicated faculty that we have in our technical programs.”

Photo:  Dual credit student Billy Wiggins is the first place state winner in the Skills USA Diesel competition.  Wiggins is standing in front of a truck used during the hands-on competition at the SkillsUSA National Competition in Louisville, KY.