MADISON, Wis. — Middle and high schoolers from around Wisconsin came to Madison this week for SkillsUSA Wisconsin’s 50th annual State Leadership & Skills Conference.

The networking and competition event falls in line with the nonprofit’s mission: To “empower its members to become world-class workers, leaders and responsible American citizens. SkillsUSA improves the quality of our nation’s future skilled workforce through the development of framework skills that include personal, workplace and technical skills grounded in academics.”

SkillsUSA aims to develop a skilled workforce, helping high school and college students who plan to start “careers in trade, technical and skilled service occupations.” SkillsUSA used to be named Vocational Industrial Clubs of America.

The conference was held at Alliant Energy Center and Madison Area Technical College. During the two-day event, students competed in different trades, learned from industry mentors and got the chance to expand their networks. 

Jim Zirbel, of SkillUSA, said since the pandemic, participation in the conference has increased by 30%.

“The number of different participating industries has grown over 50 years and students have four years, six or even seven years, when they can do all these things and hone these skills. And they can find a job right now,” Zirbel said.

SkillsUSA reported that the conference welcomes a 50/50 spilt of men and women participating in the program this year.

“It’s such a gold mine of talent,” Zirbel said.

Isaiah Raider, who is a senior in the Oconto Falls District, said that without the opportunity to attend the conference, he would not be mastering masonry work.

“Pretty cool, I’ve never done it before, and a few weeks later, now I’m competing in it,” he said. 

He said he hopes to continue learning the trade and make money with it in the future.