Photo By Tech. Sgt. Tyler Meister | Sgt. Jessica Gardner, a food specialist with 3670th Component Repair Company, checks...... read more read more
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CLACKAMAS, Oregon – The Oregon Army National Guard’s 3670th Component Repair Company (CRC) hosted the annual SkillsUSA State Leadership and Skills Conference at the 41st Infantry Division Armed Forces Reserve Center Camp Withycombe, in Clackamas, Oregon, April 17-18.
SkillsUSA is a partnership of students, teachers and industry representatives working together to ensure America has a skilled workforce. It is a national nonprofit organization serving teachers, high school and college students who are preparing for careers in trade, technical and skilled service occupations, including health occupations.
“Watching students succeed at a job they are passionate about is the best part of this event,” said Teresa Mankin, the state director of SkillsUSA Oregon. “Partnering with the Oregon National Guard provides a unique opportunity for students to see how they can continue their passion and also serve their country.”
Mankin has been the director for three years and said the SkillsUSA executive director is impressed with the results from partnering with the National Guard. He will aim to replicate the effect across the country, Makin continued.
Although the bulk of Soldiers present were from 3670th CRC, other units also took part in the event to ensure the students received the best experience possible. During the event, students attended workshops that tested their skills in job-related competitions. Competitive events included everything from delivering speeches, technical drafting, animation, digital photography and video, to carpentry, welding fabrication, automotive repair, electronic technology and culinary arts.
“As four year member of SkillsUSA during high school and current employee of the organization, I know first-hand how great this program is and all the opportunities it can create,” said Zach Buchanan, a SkillsUSA state officer coach. “Oregon is the only state to have the National Guard partner with the program and with the success it has seen, I feel this one of a kind opportunity can see limitless growth.”
Oregon Army National Guard Soldiers served as observers and judges for several of the competitions related to their job skill in the Army. For example, Army cooks were judges for the culinary arts events and Army mechanics served as judges for automotive service technology.
The Oregon Army National Guard’s Recruiting and Retention Battalion provided a rocket launcher simulator for students to get a personal hands-on experience with some military equipment. Several recruiters spoke with the high school students about the different types of careers available in the National Guard.
Many of the students were grateful to have the opportunity to work with Soldiers that actually perform the jobs they are passionate about. One student, Diyora Saadat even went as far as wearing the actual attire of a combat medic during her presentation on some basic medical techniques.
“I think the event is fun but even more so I appreciate the fact that SkillsUSA helped me discover what I want to do with my life,” Saadat said. “Thanks to this program I now know I want to be a combat medic in the Army like my father who served for ten years.”
Saadat is a sophomore at Reynolds High School and a new member of the Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps at her school. Saadat said she plans to compete in the competition for the remainder of her time in school because it sets her up for future success.
The top students in each category at the state competition went on to compete in the National SkillsUSA competition in Louisville, Kentucky, June 22-26.
For more information on the SkillsUSA program visit their website at http://skillsusaoregon.org.
| Date Taken: | 04.17.2015 |
| Date Posted: | 04.17.2015 22:34 |
| Story ID: | 160410 |
| Location: | CLACKAMAS, OR, US |
| Web Views: | 167 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Oregon Guard partners with students during SkillsUSA 2015, by TSgt Tyler Meister, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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