Johnson College hosted 174 high school students to compete in 34 areas for the district SkillsUSA competition on November 19th, 2014. SkillsUSA is a partnership of students, teachers, and industry working together to ensure America has a skilled workforce. SkillsUSA’s mission is to empower its members to become world-class workers, leaders and responsible American citizens. SkillsUSA serves more than 300,000 students and instructors annually.

SkillsUSA is a national organization serving teachers and high school and college students who are preparing for careers in technical, skilled and service occupations, including health occupations and for further education. SkillsUSA programs include local, state and national competitions in which students demonstrate occupational and leadership skills.

“Johnson College provides a fair and level playing ground for all student participants,” said Joseph Musheno, Planning Manager and Construction and Design Division Chairperson at Johnson College who had a large part in the planning of the event. “The benefit for Johnson College is allowing the students of these programs to explore all that the College has to offer to those pursuing a technical education.”  Johnson College staff and faculty held events in their respective areas on campus. Johnson College faculty were responsible for securing judges for the competitions and these judges come mainly from the Program Advisory Committees as well as industry partners in Northeast Pennsylvania.

Students from the following Career Technology Centers competed in the competition: Lackawanna CTC, Carbon County CTC, Delaware Valley CTC, Hazleton CTC, Susquehanna CTC, Tunkhannock CTC, Wallenpaupack CTC, West Side CTC, and Wilkes-Barre CTC.