WESTFIELD – During the week of June 20-25, Westfield Technical
Verdon learns about technical advances in his field on the last day of competition. (Submitted photo)
Academy’s SkillsUSA Advisor David Tefft accompanied electrical wiring student Christian Verdon (Class of 2017) to the National SkillsUSA competition at the Kentucky State Fairgrounds in Louisville.
The trip was a result of Verdon’s gold medal win at the SkillsUSA state finals in May, the first-ever for Westfield Technical Academy.
“It was very intense. 15,000 people coming and going for the competition, plus vendors,” Tefft said of the national competition. He said he was impressed by its scope and everything the students put into it.
Verdon signs Mike Rowe’s S.W.E.A.T. Pledge at the SkillsUSA National Competition. (Submitted photo)
The pair left for the competition on a Monday, and came back on a Saturday. In addition to the support raised by parent volunteers and advisory board members at the Technical Academy, Tefft had applied for $1,000 to help pay for transportation for the trip from Mike Rowe Works, host of “Dirty Jobs” on TV, which was granted.
On Tuesday, following a briefing, Rowe hosted a luncheon at the competition for the students and Verdon had a chance to meet him and thank him. He also got a copy of his book, “Profoundly Disconnected®, A True Confession from Mike Rowe.”
Tefft said Wednesday there was a big test for a good portion of the day. The test was on employability and trade skills, and involved a mock interview. He had to troubleshoot a system to find a problem, as well as expressing the right way to treat people on a job.
Thursday, he was given a blueprint of a project he needed to build, and he spent the day wiring.
Friday was a debriefing, and a seminar about the future of SkillsUSA competition. Tefft said Verdon learned about technical advances in his field through presentations by big manufacturers. He also assisted the judges in pulling down the competition area. Tefft said he jumped in and helped also.
At the end, Tefft said that Christian Verdon placed fifth in the nation in electrical wiring.
Verdon with Mike Rowe of TV’s Dirty Jobs in Kentucky. (Submitted photo)
“My hat’s off to the electrical wiring instructors. That’s very good in my book,” he said.
Verdon received a brand new tool set from DeWalt, as well as tools, clothing and safety equipment from companies like South Wire Erwin.
“Now Christian has a really great tool set. He’s definitely excited about next year. He feels he can go back and do it again,” Tefft said.
Tefft also wants to make sure the electrical teachers are credited for Verdon’s success.
“I want the light to be on the electrical department. Those guys did a ton of work,” he said.
SkillsUSA is an international partnership of students, teachers and industry working together to ensure America has a skilled workforce. It provides educational programs, events and competitions that support career and technical education (CTE) in the nation’s classrooms.
