w w w . r s e s j o u r n a l . c o m10 RSES Journal JUNE 2012

B y L o r i K a s a L L i s

see what the 48th annual National Leadership and skills Conference holds for competitors,

the industry and trade organizations.

2012 SkillsUSA

PAvES thE WAy foR thE NEW WoRkfoRcE

Despite several years of discussions related to a shortage of a skilled HVACR labor force, it seems the conversa-tions related to the topic have ebbed. Of course, that

does not mean the industry is no longer experiencing and will continue to face a lack of skilled technicians entering the field in the coming years—as the ratio of retiring indi-viduals still far outweighs the number of people entering the field—but perhaps the lull in dialogue is related to a change in mindset in hiring and investing in training of individu-als interested in the industry. One event bound to reveal some light at the end of the tunnel is the SkillsUSA Cham-pionships at the 48th Annual National Leadership and Skills Conference in Kansas City, MO, June 21–27, 2012.

An expected 15,000 individuals—consisting of students, teachers and industry partners—will come together in the name of the future of skilled workforces. After months of state-level competition, winners will proceed to the national event taking place in H. Roe Hall and Municipal Auditori-um. Here, students will compete against the clock and each other in their respective fields. Each year, these contests are run with the help of industry, labor and trade associations, including RSES.

rsEs participationIn addition to state-level participation, several RSES Mem-bers continue on to nationals to help judge the HVACR por-tion of the competition. RSES Director of Training and Edu-cation Pat Murphy, CMS, is one of those individuals heading to the event this month. Since he participated for the last 12 years as a judge for the brazing competition and a proctor for written exams, RSES Journal asked Murphy how RSES’ par-ticipation in an event like this is vital.

“It is vital for RSES to participate in many avenues,” he said. “It allows us to expose the entry-level techs and their instructors to RSES and all we have to offer. It allows RSES to see if there are new techniques being developed by equip-ment manufacturers that RSES can incorporate into its training. It allows the RSES judging team to maintain re-lationships with other industry professionals. And, it al-lows RSES to have input into the educational standards that SkillsUSA develops to test the entry-level candidates.”

National SkillsUSA Competition Agenda

NOTE: This is a tentative agenda and is subject to change. Please visit www.skillsusa.org to check for any changes and for information about each event.

thUrSdAy, JUNe 21

8 a.m.–5 p.m. Leverage, Activate and Engage Training

1–5 p.m. Conference Registration

fridAy, JUNe 22

8 a.m.–5 p.m. Leverage, Activate and Engage Training

8 a.m.–5 p.m. Alumni Training

9 a.m. SkillsUSA Champions Move In

10 a.m.–6 p.m. Conference Registration

1–4 p.m. ASTS Business Meeting

SAtUrdAy, JUNe 23

8 a.m.–1 p.m. Leverage, Activate and Engage Training

9 a.m. SkillsUSA Champions Move In

9 a.m. State Directors Meeting

9 a.m.–12 p.m. Alumni Training

2 p.m. Skills Contests Chairs Meeting

SUNdAy, JUNe 247:30 a.m. SkillsUSA Champions Move In

8 a.m.–4 p.m. TECHSPO Career Fair

9:30–11:30 a.m. Delegate Training

9:30–11 a.m. Leadership Chairperson’s Contest Meeting

11 a.m.–6 p.m. Contestant Orientation Meetings

12–6 p.m. Set Up Display Event, Exhibits and Check-in Notebooks

2 p.m. Joint Delegate Session

7–10 p.m. Champions Night at the Power & Light District

7:30–8:30 p.m. 100% Advisor’s Reception

9–10 p.m. Champions Night at the College Basketball Experience

MoNdAy, JUNe 25

7:30 a.m. Leadership Contestants Report to Contest Area

7:45 a.m. Teachers’ Continental Breakfast

8:30–9:45 a.m. Teachers’ Session

8 a.m.–5 p.m. SkillsUSA Championships (open to the public)

8 a.m.–4 p.m. TECHSPO & Career Fair

10:30 a.m.–1:30 p.m. SkillsUSA’s Amazing Race

10:30 a.m.–4 p.m. SkillsUSA University

1 p.m. Meet the Candidates/Delegate Assembly Business Meeting

2:30 p.m. SkillsUSA Corporate Meeting

3 p.m. Joint Delegate Session

7 p.m. Opening Ceremony/Official Opening of the SkillsUSA Championships

JUNE 2012 RSES Journal 11w w w . r s e s j o u r n a l . c o mw w w . r s e s j o u r n a l . c o m

National SkillsUSA Competition Agenda

NOTE: This is a tentative agenda and is subject to change. Please visit www.skillsusa.org to check for any changes and for information about each event.

thUrSdAy, JUNe 21

8 a.m.–5 p.m. Leverage, Activate and Engage Training

1–5 p.m. Conference Registration

fridAy, JUNe 22

8 a.m.–5 p.m. Leverage, Activate and Engage Training

8 a.m.–5 p.m. Alumni Training

9 a.m. SkillsUSA Champions Move In

10 a.m.–6 p.m. Conference Registration

1–4 p.m. ASTS Business Meeting

SAtUrdAy, JUNe 23

8 a.m.–1 p.m. Leverage, Activate and Engage Training

9 a.m. SkillsUSA Champions Move In

9 a.m. State Directors Meeting

9 a.m.–12 p.m. Alumni Training

2 p.m. Skills Contests Chairs Meeting

SUNdAy, JUNe 247:30 a.m. SkillsUSA Champions Move In

8 a.m.–4 p.m. TECHSPO Career Fair

9:30–11:30 a.m. Delegate Training

9:30–11 a.m. Leadership Chairperson’s Contest Meeting

11 a.m.–6 p.m. Contestant Orientation Meetings

12–6 p.m. Set Up Display Event, Exhibits and Check-in Notebooks

2 p.m. Joint Delegate Session

7–10 p.m. Champions Night at the Power & Light District

7:30–8:30 p.m. 100% Advisor’s Reception

9–10 p.m. Champions Night at the College Basketball Experience

MoNdAy, JUNe 25

7:30 a.m. Leadership Contestants Report to Contest Area

7:45 a.m. Teachers’ Continental Breakfast

8:30–9:45 a.m. Teachers’ Session

8 a.m.–5 p.m. SkillsUSA Championships (open to the public)

8 a.m.–4 p.m. TECHSPO & Career Fair

10:30 a.m.–1:30 p.m. SkillsUSA’s Amazing Race

10:30 a.m.–4 p.m. SkillsUSA University

1 p.m. Meet the Candidates/Delegate Assembly Business Meeting

2:30 p.m. SkillsUSA Corporate Meeting

3 p.m. Joint Delegate Session

7 p.m. Opening Ceremony/Official Opening of the SkillsUSA Championships

tUeSdAy, JUNe 267:30 a.m. Contestants Report to Contest Area

8 a.m. Leadership Contest Finals

9 a.m.–4 p.m. SkillsUSA Championships (open to the public)

8 a.m.–4 p.m. TECHSPO & Career Fair (indoor exhibits close at 3 p.m.)

10 a.m.–2 p.m. SkillsUSA University

1 p.m. Meet the Candidates/Delegate Assembly Business

WedNeSdAy, JUNe 277:30 a.m. States Directors’ Breakfast

8 a.m. SkillsUSA Championships Move Out

8 a.m. Community Service Project

8:30 a.m. State Directors’ Business Meeting

9 a.m. and 1 p.m. SkillsUSA University

9 a.m. Champions 5K Run

10:30 a.m. Delegate Assembly Business Meeting/Meet the Candidates

10:30 a.m.–1:30 p.m. ASTS Business Meeting and Teacher’s Luncheon

6 p.m. Awards Ceremony

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The philosophy of the championships is to reward students for excellence, to involve industry in directly evaluating stu-dent performance and to keep training relevant to employers’ needs. A symbiotic relationship for students, teachers and as-sociations, alike, the culmination of individuals shows there is still an interest in the field and a want to help guide those interested in becoming a part of the skilled HVACR work-force. The competition brings together the most skilled indi-viduals in each respective field and gives them an opportuni-ty to show what they are capable of.

“The SkillsUSA event is a showcase of excellence for not only the HVACR industry but all of the participating indus-tries,” added Murphy. “It showcases the excellence of the edu-cation community in preparing our future technicians.”

The competitionAs in previous years, the HVACR/sheet-metal competi-tions test participants in several areas of the industry. The HVACR contestants are tested in several ways, including: a written exam; brazing skills; refrigerant-component ser-vice; air-measurement and troubleshooting; refrigerant recov-ery; and electrical troubleshooting. They may work on such equipment as ice machines, refrigerated display cases, small-package HVAC units, furnaces and split-system air-condition-ing units. Sheet-metal contestants are tested on their ability to perform such jobs as connecting sheet-metal pieces with drive cleats, spot welding and riveting. Skills tested may in-clude straight duct, transition fitting and 45-degree entry tap fitting. Professional sheet-metal workers judge contestants on the use of hand tools, correctness of layout, shop-safety pro-cedures, accuracy, completeness and craftsmanship.

The actual competitions take place Monday and Tuesday,

June 25–26 and the winners are announced during a for-mal ceremony Wednesday, June 27. The 2012 SkillsUSA winners will be announced in the August 2012 In the Field section of RSES Journal. Competitors and winners receive several prizes donated by participating and supporting orga-nizations, including RSES.

In addition to providing all HVACR contestants with a free subscription to RSES Journal, the first-, second- and third-place winners in each competition level will also re-ceive prizes. The secondary/high-school level winners will re-ceive a copy of the Refrigerant Usage Certification manual and the HVACR Quick Reference Handbook; and the college/post-secondary level winners will receive an RSES Student Mem-bership, Prepare for Nate Core Exam Manual and Safety for the HVACR Service Technician manual.

Networking strategiesThe week offers an abundance of opportunities in which at-tendees can participate. SkillsUSA University is an opportu-nity for students and educators to attend educational sessions. Sessions, which are free, may include professional develop-ment, legislative updates, occupational and technical career trends and program overviews. Teachers can stay updated on equipment, software, employment trends and other aspects of their training field. Students can learn new skills or find out what business and industry are looking for in new employees. SkillsUSA University will be held June 25–27.

The SkillsUSA TECHSPO gives competing students a chance to meet key decision-makers in vocational-technical and school-to-work education as well as leaders from business and industry. This event also includes a Career Fair, where students and company representatives can exchange informa-tion and talk about employment opportunities.

For more information about events taking place during the week or becoming involved in SkillsUSA, visit www.skillsusa.org. RSES’ website also offers a list of contacts for those interested in becoming involved with the RSES Skills USA/Student Committee—visit www.rses.org.