SCC Students Compete at National SkillsUSA Conference
Three Southeast Community College students were among more than 5,400 who competed at the National SkillsUSA Conference in Kansas City, Mo., June 22-26.
James Matthes of Sidney won the bronze medal in the Firefighting (postsecondary) category. SCC's Fire Protection Technology program is on the Lincoln Campus.
Cody Breiner of Atkinson competed in the Motorcycle Service Technology category, and Oscar Hernandez of Gering competed in Welding. SCC's Motorcycle, ATV & Personal Watercraft Technology program is taught on the Lincoln Campus. Welding Technology is taught on the Lincoln and Milford campuses. The three students were eligible to compete at the national conference after placing first in their field of study at the Nebraska State SkillsUSA competition in March.
It was the 46th annual National Leadership and Skills Conference, a showcase of career and technical education students.
Ken Jefferson, chair of the Motorcycle, ATV & Personal Watercraft Technology program, accompanied the students, as did Dan Zabel, Welding Technology instructor on the Lincoln Campus.
The Firefighting contest evaluates the contestant's preparation for firefighting careers through hands-on skill demonstrations and both written and oral presentations. Areas tested: safety; breathing apparatus; fire streams; ladders, ropes, knots and hoses; fire control; ventilation; emergency medical care and rescue; and protecting fire cause evidence. Contestants are evaluated using standards established by the National Fire Protection Association.
In Motorcycle Service Technology, contestants perform tasks representative of those encountered in a dealership's service department. Technical skills include performing scheduled maintenance tasks; use of service, electrical diagnostic and parts manuals; electrical diagnostics; precision measurement; brake service; chassis/suspension service; fuel delivery system inspection and repair; transmission and drive systems; power train systems; on Buell, Harley-Davidson and Yamaha motorcycles. Judges look for clean and organized work habits, correct use of reference materials, the ability to follow directions, and good technical skills.
Welding competitors receive contest drawings and a set of welding procedure specifications. All drawings, welding symbols and welding terms conform to the latest edition of the American Welding Society standards. Through a series of stations, contestants are tested on various aspects of welding: measuring weld replicas, using weld measuring gauges; laying out a plate and using oxy-acetylene equipment to cut several holes that are checked for accuracy and quality; Gas Metal Arc Welding on steel making welds in various positions using short circuiting transfers; Flux Cored Arc Welding using a shielding gas, making welds in various positions and, using a combination machine capable of providing the correct welding current for Shielded Metal Arc and Gas Tungsten Arc Welding. Competitors completed the steel project and weld an aluminum project in various positions using a variety of filler metals.
The topic addressed by contestants in these events was how the theme, "SkillsUSA: Champions at Work, Leadership in Transition," related to the national program of work and how the SkillsUSA program fosters personal and professional development and prepares students for the next phase of their lives.
SkillsUSA represents more than 300,000 students in 130 different occupational areas.
For more information, contact:
Stu Osterthun
Administrative Director of Public Information and Marketing
(402) 323-3401
sosterthun@southeast.edu
Southeast Community College students, from left, Oscar Hernandez of Gering, James Matthes of Sidney and Cody Breiner of Atkinson competed at the National SkillsUSA Conference in Kansas City in June.
Oscar Hernandez stands next to a series of welds at the conference.
James Matthes of Sidney won the bronze medal in the Firefighting (postsecondary) category. SCC's Fire Protection Technology program is on the Lincoln Campus.
Cody Breiner of Atkinson competed in the Motorcycle Service Technology category, and Oscar Hernandez of Gering competed in Welding. SCC's Motorcycle, ATV & Personal Watercraft Technology program is taught on the Lincoln Campus. Welding Technology is taught on the Lincoln and Milford campuses. The three students were eligible to compete at the national conference after placing first in their field of study at the Nebraska State SkillsUSA competition in March.
It was the 46th annual National Leadership and Skills Conference, a showcase of career and technical education students.
Ken Jefferson, chair of the Motorcycle, ATV & Personal Watercraft Technology program, accompanied the students, as did Dan Zabel, Welding Technology instructor on the Lincoln Campus.
The Firefighting contest evaluates the contestant's preparation for firefighting careers through hands-on skill demonstrations and both written and oral presentations. Areas tested: safety; breathing apparatus; fire streams; ladders, ropes, knots and hoses; fire control; ventilation; emergency medical care and rescue; and protecting fire cause evidence. Contestants are evaluated using standards established by the National Fire Protection Association.
In Motorcycle Service Technology, contestants perform tasks representative of those encountered in a dealership's service department. Technical skills include performing scheduled maintenance tasks; use of service, electrical diagnostic and parts manuals; electrical diagnostics; precision measurement; brake service; chassis/suspension service; fuel delivery system inspection and repair; transmission and drive systems; power train systems; on Buell, Harley-Davidson and Yamaha motorcycles. Judges look for clean and organized work habits, correct use of reference materials, the ability to follow directions, and good technical skills.
Welding competitors receive contest drawings and a set of welding procedure specifications. All drawings, welding symbols and welding terms conform to the latest edition of the American Welding Society standards. Through a series of stations, contestants are tested on various aspects of welding: measuring weld replicas, using weld measuring gauges; laying out a plate and using oxy-acetylene equipment to cut several holes that are checked for accuracy and quality; Gas Metal Arc Welding on steel making welds in various positions using short circuiting transfers; Flux Cored Arc Welding using a shielding gas, making welds in various positions and, using a combination machine capable of providing the correct welding current for Shielded Metal Arc and Gas Tungsten Arc Welding. Competitors completed the steel project and weld an aluminum project in various positions using a variety of filler metals.
The topic addressed by contestants in these events was how the theme, "SkillsUSA: Champions at Work, Leadership in Transition," related to the national program of work and how the SkillsUSA program fosters personal and professional development and prepares students for the next phase of their lives.
SkillsUSA represents more than 300,000 students in 130 different occupational areas.
For more information, contact:
Stu Osterthun
Administrative Director of Public Information and Marketing
(402) 323-3401
sosterthun@southeast.edu
Southeast Community College students, from left, Oscar Hernandez of Gering, James Matthes of Sidney and Cody Breiner of Atkinson competed at the National SkillsUSA Conference in Kansas City in June.
Oscar Hernandez stands next to a series of welds at the conference.
Cody Breiner focuses on the Motorcycle Service Technology test.
Oscar Hernandez, left, and SCC Welding Technology Instructor Dan Zabel.
Ken Jefferson, left, chair of SCC's Motorcycle, ATV & Personal Watercraft Technology program, and Cody Breiner.
