PEORIA, Ill. (WMBD) — The next generation of the workforce got to compete in their potential careers with a chance to go to a national stage.
With 86 schools represented and around 2,000 students participating, the three-day SkillsUSA Illinois 2025 Championships took place at the Peoria Civic Center on Friday.
"This is these students’ Super Bowl," said Eric Hill, executive director of SkillsUSA Illinois. "They have been working in their classes as welders, as carpenters, health care, STEM robotics, I.T. all building up these skill sets for high-skilled, high-demand jobs."
A competition like this is not just for the students to try and win different challenges, but for employers to seek out highly skilled workers.
"These students get a chance to not only compete against other students across the state of Illinois, but they get to compete in front of industry professionals who are looking to hire them," Hill said. "It’s an incredible opportunity for them."
Students who have participated, or still participate, said they are leaving with a feeling of inspiration.
"I never realized that I would ever really be in this position," said Averi Colella, state officer president of SkillsUSA Illinois. "Having the opportunity to impact so many students at once is, like, just astonishing to me because I was impacted by watching everyone on stage and just having everybody around me that was so pumped about competing and learning, really, truly becoming lifelong learners here. And I love that I get to make that impact on other students."
Colella’s trade is in power equipment technology where she works on small engines.
This competition has been going on for more than 60 years, and Caterpillar, Inc. has been a corporate sponsor for 20 of those.
"Both inside Caterpillar, we use this as a recruiting event, but then also for our local dealers and then the industry in general," Jeff Fitch, director of training for CAT. "It’s not just about Caterpillar, it’s the industry. It’s the community’s need for people who want to take on these hands-on careers."
To get to Peoria, students had to pass qualifying and regional Championships competitions. Winners of championships at the civic center will go on to compete in the national SkillsUSA Championships this June in Atlanta, GA.
The champions’ night celebration event to close the competition was on Friday night, with awards to be given out Saturday morning.
