SkillsUSA, the organization that represents the United States in the WorldSkills Competition, will send 16 students as part of the United States “WorldTeam” to compete in the 40th international event to be held Sept. 1-7, 2009. This year, Ben Janke of Marshall, Wis., and a graduate of Madison Area Technical College, will represent the United States in Calgary, Canada in the WorldSkills Car Painting Competition.
Jenke earned the right to be a member of WorldTeam by winning local, district and national contests in car painting under the SkillsUSA program. Competitors must be under the age of 23. According to WorldSkills International car painting competitors must be able to:
Apply finishes to different materials, apply prime coats and repair paint surfaces
Know the standard chassis, motor and electrical device constructions and are able to carry out basic maintenance work
Remove, mark out and replace vehicle body parts, prepare vehicle surfaces, treat the vehicle with protection chemicals, apply prime coats and remove rust
Use workshop tools such as sanding machines and know different sanding techniques and materials, fillers, primers and rust proofing chemicals, and insulating, sanding and filling paints
Understand the phases of surface painting and can mix and match paints to make tones, and touch-up paintwork
Know the plastic materials used in bodywork and can find suitable preparation, cleaning, priming and surface paint materials and methods
Adhere to health and safety regulations and apply economical working practices, as well as understand consumer laws, terms and conditions for repairs and customer service requirements.
Every two years, hundreds of young people from 51 member countries or regions compete in the competition. Member countries include: Japan, Germany, Saudi Arabia, Australia, Brazil, and many others. Considered “the best of the best,” these contestants compete for four days in 45 occupational skill areas from economic sectors including manufacturing, information technology, transportation, construction and services. Accompanied by their teachers, trainers and industry technical committee experts, these young people compete before the public in contests that are run by and judged by industry using demanding international standards.
Over its 55-year history, WorldSkills International has come to symbolize the pinnacle of excellence in technical training. This year, in Calgary, more than 1,000 competitors will test their skills. Five thousand international experts, delegates and judges from around the world and 3,000 volunteers will attend. A total of 150,000 student and public spectators will attend the competition at Stampede Park situated on 193 acres with 800,000 square feet of competition space. For more information, visit www.worldskills.org.
Organizations supporting United States’ participation in the WorldSkills Competition include: Lowe’s Companies, Inc., Automotive Service Excellence (ASE), Kraftsman Auto Body Inc., Snap-on Tools Inc. and the Society of Collision Repair Specialists.