Students from Western Dakota Technical College (WDTC) once again demonstrated their exceptional trades knowledge at the SkillsUSA National Leadership and Skills Excellence Conference. This year’s event took place in Atlanta, Ga., June 23-27, and is the largest skill competition of its kind.
It is estimated that more than 17,000 people — including students, instructors and business partners participated in the weeklong event.
WDTC students qualified to participate in the national event by earning gold medals in the South Dakota SkillsUSA competition in April.
The following lists the national SkillsUSA competitions WDTC students participated in and their respective placements. Most post secondary competitions have 35 or less participants.
- Automotive Service Technology - Vincent Hawkins – 23rd.
- Cyber Security - Haley Erickson & Kjersten Kennedy – 6th.
- HVAC/R - Trigg LaPlante – 11th.
- Information Technology Services - Anthony Kost – 4th.
- Technical Drafting - Ethan Eliason – 15th.
- Welding Sculpture - Loman Hanson – 10th.
- Welding - Ayseluna Hockenbary – 4th. (Hockenbary is the SkillsUSA South Dakota Association Secretary.)
“The conference was an enlightening opportunity for our students to compete in their expertise at a national level. They all excelled! They represented WDTC with excellence in their trades,” said John Geiman, WDTC Computer Science Program Director and one of three advisors who accompanied the WDTC Nationals SkillsUSA group. Geiman also serves on the S.D. SkillsUSA Board of Directors and is Co-Chair of the National SkillsUSA Cybersecurity Competition.
Geiman extends gratitude to the sponsors who made WDTC's participation in the national SkillsUSA Competition possible: Black Hills Information Security, KT Connection, Cory’s Point S, West River Trailer Sales, RPM, L&H Industrial, and Western Dakota Technical College. Special thanks also go to Jason Linneweber, Automotive Technology Instructor, and Troy Barry, Welding Instructor and Member of the S.D. SkillsUSA Board of Directors, for their invaluable guidance as advisors at the national event. Geiman also acknowledges the WDTC faculty and staff whose dedication ensured students were well-prepared to excel in SkillsUSA competitions.
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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 442,000 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. Learn more at skillsusa.org.
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 more than 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.
Ninety-nine percent of Western Dakota Tech's most recent graduates are working, continuing their education, or are enlisted in the military, per the WDTC 2023 Placement Report. There were 353 respondents out of 399 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, WDTC 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.
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PHOTO CUTLINE
Anthony Kost, second from end on the right, earned 4th place in the National SkillsUSA Information Technologies Services competition.
