(WISCONSIN) Dozens of local students will put their career skills to the test this coming week — competing for a shot at the state stage in Madison.
Students from Beaver Dam, Hartford, Markesan and Watertown are set to compete in the rescheduled Wisconsin SkillsUSA regional competition on Friday, Feb. 20, at Fox Valley Technical College in Appleton.
In all, 45 students from the four communities will take part.
Beaver Dam High School is sending five students. Hartford Union High School will have six competitors. Markesan High School will be represented by one student. Watertown will have the largest local presence, with 18 students from Riverside Middle School and 15 from Watertown High School.
More than 210 students from across the state are expected to compete in hands-on events that mirror real-world careers. Competitions range from welding and automotive service technology to robotics, medical terminology and job interview skills. Some events are open to both middle and high school students.
Opening ceremonies begin at 8:15 a.m., with competitions running from 9 a.m. to noon. Awards are scheduled for 1 p.m.
Students who place at regionals can advance to the 53rd annual Wisconsin SkillsUSA State Leadership and Skills Conference, set for April 7 and 8 in Madison. That event is considered the state’s largest hands-on workforce development competition, bringing together more than 1,750 students in career and technical education programs.
Winners at the state level in national-qualifying events will earn the chance to represent Wisconsin at the National Leadership and Skills Conference in Atlanta in June 2026.
The Appleton event will also include a Future-Ready Workforce Summit, where business leaders and educators will discuss the ongoing challenge of finding skilled workers and how partnerships with schools can help close that gap.
SkillsUSA is a national nonprofit organization that serves students preparing for careers in trade, technical and skilled service fields. In Wisconsin, the organization includes 166 high school and middle school chapters.
