Hunterdon County gears up for SkillsUSA competition at South County Fairgrounds
Commissioner Rich: “County Continues To Foster Vocational Education”
HUNTERDON COUNTY, NJ – Hunterdon County Commissioner and liaison to Hunterdon County Polytech, Zach Rich, announced at a recent Board meeting that SkillsUSA, Inc., a national nonprofit workforce development organization, will be hosting a competition at the South County Fairgrounds on March 22nd.
This event will challenge high school and post-graduate students from vocational schools around the state in various tasks related to heavy equipment and civil construction.
“A SkillsUSA competition is a fantastic platform for our students to demonstrate their talents and gain valuable experience. Hosting this event at the South County Fairgrounds will not only benefit local students but also bring the community together to support and celebrate their achievements,” said Rich.
SkillsUSA, Inc. was founded in 1965 and is a national tax-exempt student organization committed to workforce development. In 1917, the first federal law in the United States related to career and technical education was passed: The Smith-Hughes National Vocational Education Act.
This law was the first to provide funding to states for agriculture, homemaking, trade, and industrial education. Forty-five years later, the Vocational Education Act of 1963 specified that vocational student organizations were an essential part of vocational instruction.
Today, these organizations are called career and technical student organizations (CTSOs), and SkillsUSA is one of the eight organizations authorized by the U.S. Department of Education.
Numerous students from Hunterdon County Polytech have competed in SkillsUSA competitions previously and earned top honors. The proposed SkillsUSA event on March 22nd is expected to have 70 participants, where students will compete in various challenges, from testing their machinery operation knowledge to reading blueprints and analyzing information.
“I hope my colleagues will join me in supporting this resolution as we continue to promote vocational and technical education in Hunterdon County, empowering our students to become skilled professionals, career-ready leaders, and responsible community members,” said Rich.
