The Future 12-Volt Workforce On Display at SkillsUSA
ranging from advertising design to welding and everything in between, SkillsUSA is a true boots-on-the- ground program dedicated to raising the level of professionalism and skill in every industry it touches. SkillsUSA recently held its annual National Leadership and Skills Conference in Kansas City, Mo.
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2012 SkillsUSA Mobile Electronics Installer competition Winners
HIGH SCHOOL COMPETITION WINNERS:
1st Place: Jose Luis Jiminez (Lynwood, CA) 2nd Place: Trevor Frizzell (N. Independence, MO) 3rd Place: Austin Vestal (Mardela Springs, MD)
POST-SECONDARY COMPETITION WINNERS:
1st Place: Adrian Martinez (Altadena, CA) 2nd Place: Ryan Purdy (W. Bradenton, FL) 3rd Place: Jesus Adrian Hernandez (Enid, OK)
Nearly 6000 high school and post-secondary students from across the United States engaged in a variety of competitions spanning a number of industries and trades. Of interest to the 12-volt com- munity is the Mobile Electronics Installer category. In this category, the competition was broken out into several sub-categories, including Audio Equipment Installation, Customer Service, Electrical Measurements, Soldering, Wiring Relays and Troubleshooting. Candidates also completed an in-person interview to round out the judging — an important and often overlooked aspect of professionalism. Far from just a paper-and-pencil exercise, the Mobile Electronics Installer competition required contestants to upgrade a head-unit, demonstrate proper soldering technique, correctly wire a relay and door lock actuator (5 wire, including adding a switch) and correctly handle common customer service issues, among other tasks. Many phases of the competition refer to descriptions of proper technique as described in the various MECP study guides and reference materials. Each participant receives the invitation to attend the National SkillsUSA competition by winning their state and/or regional championship contests in these same activities. This means that around the country, high schools and vocational schools (including trade schools, community colleges, etc.) are delivering some kind of mobile electronics element to an existing automotive or electronics cur- riculum. These participants were the best in their state. The competition runs roughly eight to nine hours in this multiday event, and each participant must complete all the activities in 45-minute blocks. Participants are then scored on how well they complete the task using MECP-recommended best practices and the available parts to properly complete the task. After competition and judging is completed in each category, results are tallied and winners are crowned. Of course, this competition would not be as successful without the staunch support of companies and individuals from every industry it represents. This year, the Mobile Electronics Installer category received support from judges Will Woodworth, Andrew Wright and James Anderson of Best Buy’s Geek Squad, along with Todd Ramsey (Ramsey Consulting Group), Steve Edgerson (South Kansas City Sound and Security), Chuck Brooks, Chad Thomason and Donovan Bowers (ETG/Marcraft).
66 Mobile Electronics August 2012
e often use this column to talk about the work MECP is doing to advance this impor- tant cause. This month, however, MECP would like to highlight the efforts of SkillsUSA, a nationwide non-profit organization dedicated to “preparing America’s high-perfor- mance workers in public career and technical programs.” With vocational programs
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