SkillsUSA competition is today

Kansas high school and college students will attend the 2012 SkillsUSA Masonry competition and the 4th Annual Construction Trades Career Fair today at the Pittsburg Construction Trades Building, 1301 E. 27th Terrace, Pittsburg.

The SkillsUSA competition will run from 7:30 a.m. --11:30 a.m.

SkillsUSA is an organization of students, teachers and industry representatives in the skilled workforce. SkillsUSA is the largest career and technical education student organization in the world. It provides professional development curriculum and opportunities for students.

FSCC's Construction Trades Program is able to host the Kansas SkillsUSA Masonry competition because of business and industry support. The competition is organized and judged by industry leaders.

Future craftsmen from around the state will show off their skills during this year's competition, which is free and open to the public. Students will compete for gold, silver and bronze medals.

Prizes and the chance to represent the state of Kansas at nationals will be up for grabs.

Only a gold medalist who scores over 80 percent of the possible points will be invited to the national competition.

Hours for the FSCC Construction Trades Career Fair are 8 a.m.-noon. This is an open house focusing on construction careers.