Alex Thompson, a recent graduate of Tyrone Area High School and completer of the Powersports & Equipment Technology program at the Greater Altoona Career & Technology Center, has achieved remarkable success at the national level in SkillsUSA competition.

Alex’s journey to national recognition began with a first-place finish at the district competition in January, which advanced him to the SkillsUSA State Competition in Hershey, Pennsylvania, where he again earned first place in April. His gold medal performance in the Power Equipment Technology competition secured his spot at the SkillsUSA National Leadership & Skills Conference, held June 23-27 in Atlanta, Georgia.

At the national conference, Alex competed against the top student technicians from across the United States, ultimately placing 11th in the nation – a testament to his technical skills and dedication to his craft. Alex was required to complete multiple tasks related to power equipment, including adjusting the brake pedal slack of a golf cart. Using the service manual, Alex had to find the specification and make the proper adjustments.

SkillsUSA is a national organization serving more than 395,000 high school and college students and instructors annually, preparing for careers in trade, technical, and skilled service occupations. SkillsUSA provides educational programs, events, and competitions that support career and technical education in public schools, career and technical centers, and two-year colleges. 

The National Leadership & Skills Conference brought together over 18,000 career and technical education students from across the country to compete in hands-on skill demonstrations, leadership exercises, and technical challenges. Students competed in more than 100 different career areas, from automotive technology to culinary arts to cybersecurity.

Beyond the competition itself, Alex gained valuable experience networking with industry professionals, exploring cutting-edge technologies and equipment, and developing leadership skills that will serve him well in his future career. The conference also provided opportunities to connect with fellow students passionate about technical careers and learn about advancement opportunities in the powersports and equipment technology field.

Current GACTC students interested in competing in SkillsUSA during the 2025-26 school year are encouraged to visit the Student Services Office in the first few weeks of the school year to learn more about participation opportunities.