31 crank wrenches. These are potential employees who can explain why the car engine light came on to someone who doesn’t understand engines. Some dealership employees from Kenny Simpson Nissan had a table at our most recent conference, and they said, ‘These are some of the most respectful young teenagers we have been around in years. It’s so refreshing. We would hire every one of them if they are interested in the automotive industry.’ That feedback means we are doing it right at SkillsUSA.” The state organizations partner with the state education department. SkillsUSA Montana focuses on hands-on skilled trades such as automotive and diesel technology, manufacturing and building trades. It gives teachers resources as they teach needed skills to their students. Students who participate in local chapters become wellrounded employees. Montana currently has 48 chapters at different schools across the state. Teachers who want to become advisers in the SkillsUSA program can start new chapters. When they contact the state SkillsUSA office, they can sign up for a $25 state and national membership and get access to the curriculum. Student members can attend two conferences each year; a Leadership Conference in the fall and the State Conference in the spring. The individual chapters generally have about two meetings a month. The advisers organize students and involve them with community service projects. “The president of the Great Falls chapter is a girl,” said Mary. “Her goal was to double the number of girls in the automotive classes, and she got it done.” The fall workshops provide professional development for students and their advisers. There are workshops on critical thinking, work responsibilities, conflict management and effective communication. “The state conference is fun for the students,” said Mary. “They get engaged and get to test their skills in various contests. SkillsUSA Montana is not just a club. It is about getting involved, learning technical skills, gaining leadership skills, and becoming involved in their community. It also gives students a chance to think about whether they like doing something mechanical and which career path to follow.” The three-day April 2022 State Conference was held in Helena, Montana, for the first time since 2019. Four dealerships were represented, and MTADA participated in a career fair with them. Students and advisers talked with dealership employees, and the dealerships were able to see demonstrations of basic technician skills. The specific competitions allowed students to showcase mechanical skills with regular, diesel and small engines. A job interview contest required students to put together a resume, apply for a job and interview. Students also competed in public speaking competitions. The Job Skills Demonstration contest, for example, requires students to demonstrate a job skill, such as the proper way to use a certain tool or how to change a tire. This year’s automotive contest was the first in-person competition since 2019. “Everyone had a good time,” said Mary, “and the students learned a lot.” There are 48 chapters, and 34 came. “Some schools were still concerned about COVID-19 variants and didn’t want to risk attending. Others, such as Great Falls High School, have about 30 students but only brought a few to compete,” said Mary. There were 15 participants on regular engines, nine on small engines, and four on diesel engines. The top three in each contest win a gold, silver or bronze medal. “Montana has a small population,” said Mary, “so having 15 students compete is good. The top three regular engine competitors were invited to attend the 2022 Auto Dealers Convention in Billings, June 9-11. After that, MTADA will sponsor the gold-medal winner in automotive at the end of June to attend the national SkillsUSA convention in Atlanta, Georgia. The gold medal winners compete with the other winners from other states.” CONTINUED ON PAGE 32
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