Chattanooga State students, who are enrolled in the technical career programs at the college’s Tennessee Technology Center (TTC), recently competed in the statewide postsecondary SkillsUSA competition.  Held in Chattanooga, the event invited students, from all of the 26 TTCs located throughout the state, to compete in tests that would challenge their precisely-honed talents and well-studied knowledge.   Judges for SkillsUSA competition were seasoned industry professionals, who evaluated each student’s performance and rewarded scores based on excellence and proficiency.  During the competition, Chattanooga State’s TTC students won a total of 17 gold medals, the most of any technical center in Tennessee.  The winners from Chattanooga State also won the privilege to participate in the national SkillsUSA competition, slated for June 21-26 in Kansas City, Missouri.

Formerly known as the Vocational Industrial Clubs of America (VICA), SkillsUSA is a national nonprofit organization that partners industry representatives with educators and students and encourages the establishment of supportive collaborations to ensure America has a technically-skilled workforce.  Chattanooga State launched a chapter of SkillsUSA in the fall of 2006.  Since its formation, the local chapter has grown to include a membership of more than 1000 TTC students.

Dr. Jim Barrott, vice president for technology at Chattanooga State, oversees the Tennessee Technology Center.  Dr. Barrott underscores the positive impact that the SkillsUSA chapter has had at Chattanooga State.  “The SkillsUSA chapter energizes students through a variety of activities and events,” notes Dr. Barrott.  “Fostering leadership, teamwork, citizenship, and character development, SkillsUSA layers the competencies of our technical students by reinforcing the development of self-confidence, strong work ethics and sound communications skills.”

The technical career programs offered through the Tennessee Technology Center prime and qualify students for immediate employment.  Depending on the specifics of the career program, TTC students earn either a diploma or a certificate when they graduate.

SkillsUSA sponsors competitions across the United States.  Students begin by competing locally and continue to state and national contests if their scores advance them.  Chattanooga State students, who received first place honors in their respective skills contests, are eligible to proceed to the national competition in Kansas City.  The Chattanooga State TTC students who will represent Tennessee at the national SkillsUSA competition in Kansas City are Douglas Bedingfield, Ben Cairns, Constance Duncan, Gabriel Gardner, Ginger Gustafson, Amy House, Dallas Knecht, Josh Lawson, Christopher Millhorn, Bill Pearson, Sylvia Phillips, Megan Pruett, Earnest Roberson, Jessica Robertson, Scott Smith, Carl Spain, and Matthew Wiram.

For more information about Chattanooga State’s technical career programs and the SkillsUSA program, contact the Tennessee Technology Center at 423.697.4433 or call Chattanooga State’s information hotline at 423.697.4404 or toll free at 1.866.547.3733.

For information about Chattanooga State and its educational programs, call the Chattanooga State information hotline at 423.697.4404 or toll free at 1.866.547.3733 or visit the college’s Web site at www.chattanoogastate.edu.

Chattanooga State is a comprehensive, regionally accredited community college, operated under the policies and guidelines of the Tennessee Board of Regents College System.  Founded in 1965 and serving a six-county area in Southeast Tennessee, Chattanooga State offers a wide array of programs and services.