Amarillo College’s students and dual-credit students both competed in a state-wide contest at SkillsUSA Texas earlier this month in Corpus Christi. Together the group earned three first place finishes and those students qualified to compete in the national SkillsUSA competitions.“This was the first year that secondary and post-secondary students competed at the same location at the same time,” said Ernie Sheets, AC’s Manufacturing Education Center (MEC) department chair. “I feel this enhanced the experience for all post-secondary students in attendance. High school students are now able to see colleges competing which in turn developed a vision for continued education pathways.”

Eleven Amarillo College dual credit students who currently attend AmTech Academy earned top honors at the SkillsUSA Machining Competition Feb. 14 in Levelland. The group earned top honors in CNC Lathe and CNC Programming, taking the first, second and third places in both categories. Together they earned first and third place in Axis CNC Mill and third place and two fifth places in CNC Mill.