SkillsUSA Mass Diesel Equipment Technology State Championship
Top students from across Massachusetts will compete at Advantage Truck Group in the SkillsUSA Mass Diesel Equipment Technology State Championship. This hands-on event supports student interest in diesel technician-related work while helping to build the employment pipeline for the state’s trucking industry.
As part of its ongoing commitment to support training and workforce development, Advantage Truck Group will host the Diesel Equipment Technology competition for the 2021 SkillsUSA Massachusetts State Championship at its Shrewsbury facility on Friday, April 30, where the state’s top diesel technology students will come together to compete and the winner will represent Massachusetts at the SkillsUSA National Leadership and Skills Conference virtual competition in June.
The annual competition helps to encourage students with an interest in and aptitude for diesel technician-related work and highlights career opportunities in this field.
While the need for technicians extends across Massachusetts, the state has identified Transportation, Warehousing, and Logistics as one of the Central Massachusetts region’s top three priority industries, with diesel technicians facing among the most significant employee shortages.
“The need for qualified diesel technicians in Massachusetts creates strong job prospects for students and skills competitions like this help highlight these opportunities,” said ATG president and CEO, Kevin Holmes. “ATG is proud to be able to provide this support for SkillsUSA Massachusetts, as we see this as a vital part of technical education in the region that will help build the next generation of skilled technicians.”
This year’s state championship includes nine high schools representing six school districts across Massachusetts, with twelve students qualifying for the competition by achieving top scores on three written exams. During the event, the students will complete tasks that challenge their knowledge of tools, precision measurement, specific vehicle components, and job interview skills as they cycle through ten workstations. Stations include tasks related to engine diagnostics, electrical systems, brakes, steering, air systems and air conditioning. Students will be presented with a vehicle challenge during which they diagnose and repair several pre-assigned problems under the hood of a live vehicle, giving them the opportunity to test their skills in a real-world situation they may encounter as a professional technician.
The winner of the state championship will earn four hours of training with a Master Diesel Technician at ATG’s Shrewsbury facility to help prepare for the national competition. In addition to hosting this year’s Diesel Equipment Technology competition, ATG manages the event and is responsible for designing the hands-on tasks at each testing station.
The live competition will be held on April 30 from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. and will be closed to the public.
