Technical competition slated

Students from 24 high schools and technical centers throughout the state will take part in a daylong skills and leadership competition Friday.

Two hundred and seventy-five students are expected to participate in the competition sponsored by SkillsUSA-VICA, which is a showcase for the best career and technical students in the nation.

Judges will evaluate student performance in a variety of occupational skills areas, and the winners will participle in a national championship in Kansas City in June. An opening ceremony will be held at New Hampshire Community Technical College on Friday at 9 a.m., and the majority of the competitions will take place there.

In addition to earning a place in the national competition, students are competing for college scholarships. Winners in certain areas will be offered tuition scholarships to New Hampshire Community Technical College System, Southern New Hampshire University, Universal Technical Institute, New England Institute of Technology, University Of Northwest Ohio, Ohio Technical College, Baran’s Institute of Technology, New Culinary Institute, and Michael’s School of Hair Design.

Contests will be held in areas such as automated manufacturing technology, robotics automation technology, automotive service technology, precision machining technology, architectural and technical drafting, electronics technology, computer maintenance technology, graphic communication, video production, culinary arts, extemporaneous speaking, advertising design, cosmetology, Internet working, residential wiring, diesel equipment technology, carpentry, welding and power equipment technology.