ATLANTA, GA (07.03.24) – As part of KICKER’s sponsorship of the event, KICKER Tech Force manager Aaron Malin and Tech Force trainer Jacob Luckey traveled to Atlanta and judged competitions in the SkillsUSA Championships June 24-28 during SkillsUSA’s 60th annual National Leadership and Skills Conference in Atlanta.
Malin related “This was the third SkillsUSA national competition that KICKER has attended in Atlanta and provided a sponsorship. In 2023 KICKER had a total of 11 competitors from all over the country. This year, with local and Oklahoma state competitions, we had even more. We would certainly like to see that growth continue as we plan for 2025.”
KICKER had additional support at the SkillsUSA event with area participation. Scott Dilbeck from Sky High Car Audio was in the house and judged radio installation sessions. Industry veteran Bytan Gary was able to give a hand and that worked out very well. James Simpson, with Atlanta-based Vickers AV and Sound Sensations, was also lending a hand. KICKER expanded their presence at this years event. Several positive comments about those upgrades were given to Malin.
Kelley Vickers, Vickers AV and Sound Sensations, related “James Simpson, a Vickers AV Sales Representative, volunteered and judged installation competitions at SkillsUSA, supported KICKER and aided Randy Goodwin representing DB Drive. The event boasted an excellent turnout, reflecting the growing interest and enthusiasm in the industry. Simpson’s dedication and expertise were instrumental in the success of the event, making the experience both valuable and rewarding for all participants.
Erin Smith, a competitor from last year, came in from Savannah Technical College to paticipate in the KICKER booth. Smith works now part time at the college in the automotive aftermarket program and plans to do more on the mobile electronics area in the near future.
The Mobile-Electronics Installation category tests competitors’ abilities to perform standard installation practices used by certified, professional mobile-electronics installers. These skills have been established through the certification objectives and items created for the Basic MECP certification by the Consumer Electronics Association.
Continuing Malin offered “The KICKER Tech Force intends to continue our support of SkillsUSA in Oklahoma and at the national competition in 2025. We are actively encouraging other states to join the competition and increase the number of young men and women interested in joining the 12volt industry. We hear from retailers on a regular basis that they cannot find qualified people to hire.The 12-volt industry needs more sharp-minded employees to bring new ideas to the table and SkillsUSA can provide a pathway.”
The event in Atlanta included a written examination covering the Basic MECP certification, a professional interview and five hands-on applications that spotlighted taking electrical measurements, installing consumer-electronics equipment, soldering and working with relay circuits plus troubleshooting electronic circuitry.
KICKER donated over $5,000 in prizes to the winners of the 12-volt competitions.
“I would like to encourage other 12-volt industry leaders and manufacturers to get involved with SkillsUSA at their local, state and national level. As an industry, we need those young men and women to join us in the very exciting and quickly evolving industry. Not only do students receive technical skills they learn important communication skills. It is terrific when I see that light bulb light up when a student grasps the idea” Malin concluded.
Visit Kicker.com and SkillsUSA.org for more
For information about Skills USA events contact Chris Jack cnjacklausd@aol.com
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