Saturday was a big day for 130 students who attend the Technical Education Programs at the St. Clair County RESA, as well as the industries that rely on a skilled labor force. Students from 10 programs, from construction to cosmetology, competed in the local Skills USA Program, held at the Marysville campus. Tom Koehler RESA’s TEC program School to Work Coordinator, said that the event puts students, teachers, and the business community together to give kids opportunities to compete for possible scholarships and job opportunities as they advance through the levels. Judges for the event include industry leaders in the represented fields as well as past students who are part of the TEC Advisory Board. Skills USA is a national organization that works to fill the gaps in the workforce for the skilled trades. According to a report from the Associated General Contractors, with the retiring baby boomers and the lack of skilled trades, there will be a half million jobs to fill in Michigan alone by 2026.
