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Welding competitor earns bronze; Plumbing and Heating, Cooking rivals acknowledged with Medal for Excellence
SHANGHAI, Sept. 28, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — The elite group of younger expert professionals that comprise the 2026 WorldSkills USA workforce made its mark on the worldwide stage on the prestigious forty eighth WorldSkills Competitors, widely known because the “Olympics of expert trades.”
9 U.S. rivals—all SkillsUSA champions of their dwelling states—showcased their profession abilities in opposition to the best-of-the-best from world wide Sept. 22-27.
Mikala Sposito, a 21-year-old SkillsUSA Michigan welding champion, earned a bronze medal within the rigorous Welding competitors with a extremely aggressive subject. Sposito, a scholar at Washtenaw Neighborhood School, spent 1000’s of hours coaching for the competitors and is the primary feminine to characterize the U.S. on this talent competitors.
She certified for WorldSkills by competing on the SkillsUSA Championships then earned her spot on the WorldSkills USA workforce via a collection of welding trials administered by the American Welding Society (AWS), which oversees the choice course of for SkillsUSA.
“Mikala represents the top of American expert expertise,” mentioned Chelle Travis, Govt Director of SkillsUSA. “Her dedication to her craft and exact technical abilities are actually exceptional. She and the remainder of WorldSkills USA Staff are shining examples of American profession and technical training and the workforce expertise driving our financial system. We commend their successes on the worldwide stage and have fun their vivid futures.”
Two members of the U.S. delegation additionally received a Medal for Excellence, an official distinction awarded to rivals who obtain a excessive commonplace of abilities can rating 700 factors or extra on the official WorldSkills scoring scale.
Elizabeth Brown, a 22-year-old Cooking competitor from Missouri, showcased world-class culinary approach, pace and creative precision and earned this designation amongst 18 different rivals within the 45-person subject. Brown’s WorldSkills look was supported by Unilever, ZWILLING and Smithfield Meals.
Charles Goede, a 20-year-old from Connecticut, additionally earned the Medal for Excellence designation for his efficiency within the Plumbing and Heating competitors. A devoted plumbing apprentice, Goede showcased his mastery of superior fluid, stress and local weather programs. He obtained complete help and coaching from a coalition of trade leaders, together with the Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors Affiliation (PHCC) Academic Basis, the Worldwide Affiliation of Plumbing and Mechanical Officers (IAPMO), UA Plumbers and Pipefitters Native 777 JATC and DEWALT.
The rest of 2026 WorldSkills USA delegation completed admirably inside their abilities areas. These rivals embody:
- Vehicle Expertise: James Cahill, 20 (Missouri) — A talented automotive scholar who has demonstrated mastery over advanced mechanical diagnostics and automobile programs.
- Carpentry: Tristan Coates, 22 (Florida) — A enterprise proprietor and former nationwide champion who brings in depth structural and craft excellence to the workforce.
- CNC Milling: Alexis Squyres, 21 (Pennsylvania) — A graduate of Thaddeus Stevens School of Expertise and nationwide bronze medalist, specializing in advanced multi-axis precision machining. She is the primary feminine to characterize the U.S. on this talent competitors.
- Heavy Automobile Expertise: Benjamin Strupp, 21 (Wisconsin) — An distinctive diesel technician specializing in heavy industrial equipment, diagnostics and large-scale transportation restore.
- Mechatronics: Evan Chow, 24, and James (Jack) Sutherland, 24 (Tennessee) — A powerhouse duo representing Tennessee within the intensive two-person industrial automation and robotic programs engineering competitors.
Chow and Sutherland have been chosen by SkillsUSA because the recipients of the Better of Nation award. Every nation taking part within the WorldSkills Competitors selects a competitor from their nationwide workforce to obtain this particular honor. As a two-person workforce, each males obtain this honor.
“Evan and Jack epitomize teamwork, cooperation and dedication,” Travis mentioned. “They have been chosen as Better of Nation for not solely performing effectively on the worldwide stage however exemplifying the American spirit and SkillsUSA’s values.”
Held each two years, the WorldSkills Competitors is the world’s largest worldwide gathering of expert expertise. About 1,400 rivals from 73 nations and areas competed in 64 abilities, together with seven new rising occupations.
SkillsUSA, the #1 workforce improvement organizations for college kids, has served because the official U.S. consultant to WorldSkills since 1973 with the primary U.S. delegation competing in 1975. Greater than 300 Individuals have competed at WorldSkills.
Guaranteeing peak efficiency in Shanghai, every workforce member was supported by enterprise and trade companions and paired with a devoted technical professional who deliberate and managed their coaching routine. Opponents engaged in digital coaching periods and intensive in-person practices throughout the USA, Europe and Asia to refine their abilities to world-class requirements.
This 12 months’s consultants in Shanghai embody Rusty Brown, Vehicle Expertise; James Redd, Automotive Portray; Boyd Worsham, Carpentry; Alden “JR” Colvin, CNC Milling; Greg Beachey, Cooking; Greg Vannorsdel, Heavy Automobile Expertise; Joshua Whittington, Mechatronics; Larry Shoemaker, Plumbing and Heating; Shelia Hyde-Clower, Restaurant Service; and Ray Connolly, Welding.
Participation is made doable by the help of enterprise and trade companions, particularly 3M, American Welding Society, DENSO, DEWALT, PHCC Academic Basis and Tennant Firm. Different companions embody Caterpillar, Inc., John Deere, PPG Industries, Inc., Unilever, Zwilling, UA Native 777 JATC, Lincoln Electrical, NCCER, Smithfield Meals, CERATIZIT and Crimson Wing Shoe Firm. SkillsUSA additionally acknowledges quite a few particular person donors who’ve generously supported the WorldSkills USA workforce.
To study extra concerning the WorldSkills USA workforce, its consultants, sponsors and historical past, go to worldskillsusa.org Help the workforce’s journey to Shanghai by visiting worldskillsusa.org/donate.
About SkillsUSA
SkillsUSA is the #1 workforce improvement group for college kids, empowering them to grow to be expert professionals, career-ready leaders and accountable group members. SkillsUSA represents greater than 444,000 profession and technical training college students and lecturers in center colleges, excessive colleges and school/postsecondary establishments nationwide. These members characterize 130 in-demand occupational areas, from 3D animation to welding. An important resolution to the abilities hole, SkillsUSA has served over 16 million members since its founding in 1965. Be taught extra at skillsusa.org.
About WorldSkills USA
SkillsUSA serves because the official U.S. consultant to WorldSkills Worldwide, a world group targeted on elevating the visibility and recognition of expert professionals. Below the title WorldSkills USA, SkillsUSA represents the USA in WorldSkills competitions. SkillsUSA (then generally known as VICA) was designated in 1973, and the U.S. first participated within the WorldSkills Competitors in 1975. Be taught extra at worldskillsusa.org.
SOURCE SkillsUSA
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