U.P. high schoolers put trades skills to the test in annual competition
NEGAUNEE TOWNSHIP, Mich. (WJMN) – High school students from across the Upper Peninsula with an interest in the trades gathered in Negaunee Township on Friday for skills competition.
Michigan Regional Council of Carpenters & Millwrights Training Center hosted its annual Construction and Welding Skills Challenge.
Nine teams from schools and career tech centers across the U.P. constructed a pre-designed children’s playhouse and competed in coinciding aspects of Career and Technical Education.
On the welding side, 44 students participated.
“We’ve held this competition since 2007, so we’ve been around for quite a while,” said Michael Smith, Executive Director, UP Construction Council. “The reason that we put this on is so many of our CTE students, there’s not a competition for them. So if you’re not an athlete, or you’re not musically inclined, or do some other event after school, there’s no competition for you. So we created one for those students that are really highly focused on CTE programs and they want to compete. What a better way to to build a project and see who has bragging rights for the entire year.”
A team trophy was awarded to the best team, to be retained until the next Skills Challenge. Individual medals were also awarded to the top three teams.
For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJMN - UPMatters.com.
