Anton Allen, a recent Western Dakota Technical College (WDTC) Plumbing Technology graduate, earned a gold medal in the Plumbing competition at the 2026 SkillsUSA National Leadership & Skills Conference and Competition. The event took place June 1-5 in Atlanta, Ga.
Allen, a Build Dakota Scholarship recipient, advanced to the national competition after winning gold at the SkillsUSA South Dakota Championships in April. He graduated from WDTC in May.
Additional WDTC students also delivered strong performances on the national stage with five students, including one team, earning top finishes among the nation's best skilled trades and technical education competitors:
- Plumbing - Anton Allen, 1st place (National Champion)
- Cyber Security - Anthony Kost and Caitlin Katen, 4th place
- Welding - Khi Jackson, 6th place
- Information Technology Services - Brayden Moran, 12th place
- Industrial Motor Control - Karson Amos, 13th place
"We are incredibly proud of Anton and all of our students who represented Western Dakota Technical College and South Dakota at the national SkillsUSA competition," said WDTC President Dr. Kendra Ericson. "Their achievements reflect the talent, determination and career-ready skills they have developed through hands-on learning. Competing against the best students in the nation and earning these outstanding results demonstrates the quality of technical education at WDTC and the bright futures ahead for our graduates."
SkillsUSA's National Leadership & Skills Conference is the nation's premier showcase of career and technical education students. The 2026 conference brought together more than 19,000 students, instructors, administrators and industry partners from across the country.
During the SkillsUSA Championships, more than 6,800 state champions competed in 115 hands-on workforce development contests spanning fields such as construction, manufacturing, transportation, information technology, healthcare and public safety. Competitors tested their technical abilities, workplace readiness and problem-solving skills under industry standards.
"NLSC is a must-do for anyone invested in workforce development and career and technical education," said SkillsUSA Executive Director Chelle Travis. "SkillsUSA students do not just learn skills, they apply them, compete with them, and prove they can deliver under pressure."
SkillsUSA is a national partnership of students, teachers and industry representatives working together to ensure America has a highly skilled workforce. The organization serves more than 440,000 students and instructors annually through career and technical education programs nationwide.
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PHOTO CUTLINE
Anton Allen, WDTC Plumbing Technology graduate, was announced as the gold medal recipient during the 2026 SkillsUSA National Leadership & Skills Conference and Competition, in Atlanta, Ga., on June 5. Photo courtesy: SkillsUSA South Dakota.
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About SkillsUSA
SkillsUSA is the #1 workforce development organization for students, empowering them to become skilled professionals, career-ready leaders and responsible community members. SkillsUSA represents more than 444,000 career and technical education students and teachers in middle schools, high schools and college/postsecondary institutions nationwide. Those members represent 130 in-demand occupational areas, from 3-D animation to welding. A vital solution to the skills gap, SkillsUSA has served over 15 million members since its founding in 1965.
About Western Dakota Technical College
Western Dakota Technical College (WDTC) was established in 1968 and is the only technical college serving the western South Dakota region.
WDTC offers nearly 40 programs in a variety of fields, including Business and Computers, Construction and Manufacturing, Energy and Environmental Technologies, Health Sciences, Legal and Public Services, and Transportation Technologies.
One hundred percent of Western Dakota Tech's most recent graduates are working, continuing their education, or are enlisted in the military, per the WDTC 2024 Placement Report. There were 249 respondents out of 286 graduates surveyed. [*Placement information is derived from graduate surveys, faculty-collected data, placement surveys started six months after graduation, and the South Dakota Department of Labor and Regulation. Overall placement rate is figured by: (responding graduates employed, continuing education, or in military service)/(responding graduates who are seeking employment). The number of program graduates are unduplicated by CIP code.]
Western Dakota Technical College faculty, staff, and administration focus their efforts on helping students gain the skills and experiences they need to succeed. Through hands-on learning, internships, and industry partnerships, Western Dakota Tech students graduate ready to make a real and immediate contribution to their employers and to their communities.
For information about WDTC, call (800) 544-8765 or (605) 718-2565 or send an email to Admissions@wdt.edu. Visit us on the web at wdt.edu.
