UW-Platteville team places third in national competition

SkillsUSA team

The University of Wisconsin-Platteville TeamWorks team placed third out of 14 post-secondary schools in the Construction SkillsUSA national competition in Atlanta, Georgia. Team members are Noelle Elfering, Brennan Sullivan, Jake Gathje and Henry James. Duane Elfering, UW-Platteville’s technology education coordinator, is the TeamWorks team advisor.

TeamWorks, a competition within SkillsUSA, consists of a construction build. Together, teams of four review a detailed blueprint and special instructions, prepare a material list, create a schedule and action plan and give a presentation before the build. The build is limited on time to simulate a real building project as teams demonstrate their carpentry, roofing, electrical, plumbing and masonry skills. Judging is based on the team’s presentation skills, ability to construct the project per competition specified building codes, job site safety and cleanliness, proper use and accountability of tools and equipment and the rate of completion of the project.

According to its website, SkillsUSA is a partnership of students, teachers and industry working together to ensure America has a skilled workforce by providing educational programs, events and competitions that support career and technical education in Wisconsin and the nation’s classrooms.