Westminster Print Media Technician to Compete at WorldSkills 2019

Brittany Whitestone, of Westminster, Md., will represent the United States in Print Media Technology at the biennial WorldSkills Competition in Kazan, Russia. Whitestone will compete as a member of the WorldSkills USA team, selected and trained by SkillsUSA. The 45th international event will be held Aug. 22-27, 2019.

Whitestone discovered her love for the printing industry at the Carroll County Career and Technology Center (Md.). In her junior year of high school, she enrolled in the tech center for print production because she was interested in graphic design. She quickly realized, though, that she wanted to be a printer — to take someone’s ideas and make them tactile.

“Printing is more than just ink on paper, it’s an interactive experience. Sharing that with the world is extremely important to me,” said Whitestone. “Representing the U.S. at the WorldSkills competition is the most rewarding thing to happen in my life. I am excited to learn from other nations and meet people from all over the world who enjoy the trade as much as I do.”

After WorldSkills, Whitestone plans to continue her career growth in the print media industry. To see a video of Whitestone, go to: www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=18&v=GzFrz9VqVEw

Every two years, WorldSkills hosts the world championships of skills, which

attracts more than 1,600 competitors from more than 76 countries and regions around the world to compete in more than 50 different trade skills. Considered

the best in the world in each trade skill, contestants compete before the public for four days in contests that are run and judged by industry using demanding international standards. They represent the best students from each nation and many are highly trained by their sponsoring country. To see a list of competitions, go to: https://worldskills2019.com/en/event/skills/

There are 22 members on the WorldSkills USA team, with an average age of 19. Other occupational areas in which the United States plans to compete include Aircraft Maintenance, Autobody Repair, Automobile Technology, Bakery, Bricklaying, Cabinetmaking, Car Painting, CNC Milling, Cooking, Cyber Security, Graphic Design, Hairdressing, Heavy Vehicle Maintenance, Mechanical Engineering CAD, Mechatronics, Plumbing and Heating, Restaurant Service, Web Technologies and Welding.

Hundreds of thousands of spectators, public policymakers, employers, teachers, trainers, technical experts and government officials from around the world will attend this competition. The event will be held at the Kazan Expo International Exhibition Centre. For more information about the competition, go to: https://worldskills2019.com/en

For more information about Brittany Whitestone and the WorldSkills USA team, go to: www.worldskillsusa.org

Unlike other national teams in the WorldSkills Competition, the WorldSkills USA team is funded solely through private donations. To donate funds or in-kind support, go to: www.worldskillsusa.org/donate/