MDCC Hosts Successful SkillsUSA Competition, Preparing Future Workforce 

Moorhead, Miss. (Feb. 16, 2024) - Mississippi Delta Community College (MDCC) proudly hosted the SkillsUSA competition on February 6, welcoming 212 high school competitors from 22 schools across the region. SkillsUSA is a vital partnership of career-technical students, teachers, and industry leaders working collaboratively to ensure America's workforce is skilled and ready for the demands of the future.

Participating schools included Madison Career and Technical Center, New Albany Schools, Oxford-Lafayette of Applied Technology, Pontotoc Ridge Career Technical Center, Calhoun Country Career and Tech Center, J. Z. George High School, Canton Career Center, Desoto County and Career Tech Center East, Winona Career and Technical Center, Yazoo City Career and Technical Center, Kosciusko-Attala Career Tech Center, Holmes County Career and Technical Center, South Panola High School, Baldwyn Career Advancement Center, David Williams, Jr. Career and Technical Center, Greenwood-Leflore Consolidated Schools, Grenada Career and Technical Center, Greenville Technical Center, Joe Barnes Career and Technical Center, Northside High School, and Senatobia-Tate Career and Technical Center.

The competition featured a diverse range of skill categories, including automotive service technology, cabinet making, carpentry, electrical construction wiring, extemporaneous speaking, job interview, job skill demo A, job skill demo open, masonry, prepared speech, quiz bowl, related technical math, teamwork, welding, and welding fabrication.

MDCC's Electrical Instructor, David Grant, served as the competition coordinator. Grant expressed, "This should help to better prepare them for the state competition that will be held in early April. This competition also aids in the development of each competitor by giving them the opportunity to stand out and be recognized for their achievements."

Suzanne Thompson, Dean of Career-Technical and Adult Education, emphasized the significance of the event, stating, "These students come on campus excited about the competition and very prepared! This gives them assessment, validation, and an opportunity to place at the state competition and go to nationals! It's a big deal."

SkillsUSA, known as America's proud champion of the skilled trades, sees these types of yearly events as a crucial step in nurturing the future workforce. The student-led partnership aims to build a skilled workforce by preparing graduates who are career-ready from day one.

The success of the SkillsUSA competition at MDCC is a testament to the college's commitment to providing quality education and fostering the skills necessary for the workforce of tomorrow.