Baker College hosts SkillsUSA regional high school diesel skills contest

High school students from Genesee, Tuscola and Lapeer counties gathered at Baker College’s Auto/Diesel Institute (ADI) last month to compete in the SkillsUSA regional diesel technology overall skills contest.

Advancing to the state competition are first- and second-place winners Alex Bell and Colton Hanson, from Lapeer County Education & Tech Center, and third-place winner Jesse Stark, from Tuscola Technical Center.

Testing took three hours and focused on technical skills and knowledge. Categories included running engine, drivetrain components, braking system, electrical, hydraulic, shop practices, engine fundamentals and measurement. The truck used for a planned maintenance inspection was bugged for the students to diagnose.

Soft skills were also evaluated in a mock employment interview.

“Our challenge was to provide tasks that best mirror skills required at the state competition,” said Craig Hanson, ADI instructor. “Because the ADI is a teaching facility, we have the space and equipment to cover all needed material.”

For help with the competition, Hanson brought in about 10 high school students earning college credit at the ADI through the Shiawassee Regional Education Service District early college program.

“They had fun and learned a few things themselves,” Hanson said.

Also assisting with the set up and testing delivery were participating instructors of the student competitors.

The 2017 State Leadership and Skills Conference is April 7-9 in Grand Rapids. This is the sixth year Baker College’s Owosso campus has hosted a SkillsUSA regional contest.

For information about Baker College’s automotive programs, contact the admissions office at mike.konopacke@baker.edu, 800.879.3797 or visit www.baker.edu.

The largest private college in Michigan, Baker College is a not-for-profit higher education institution accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. Founded in 1911, Baker College grants doctoral, master’s, bachelor’s and associate degrees, as well as certificates in diverse academic fields including applied technology, business, education, engineering, health science, information technology and social science. Baker College has on-ground campuses throughout Michigan and offers online programs that can be completed 100 percent online without ever visiting a campus. In 2016, the Online Learning Consortium recognized Baker College Online with the OLC Quality Scorecard Exemplary Endorsement, the highest ranking for online higher education programs. For information, visit www.baker.edu or follow Baker College on Twitter, @bakercollege, or on Facebook, www.facebook.com/bakercollege.

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