Windham student wins Skill Point Certificate at Annual SkillsUSA national event

By Ed Pierce

A career and technical education student from Windham was recognized with a certificate of accomplishment at the SkillsUSA National Leadership & Skills Conference (NLSC) held June 1 to June 5 in Atlanta, Georgia.

Dylan Armer of Windham, a student at
Portland Arts & Technology High
School, received a Skill Point Cerrtificate
in Autromotive Maintenance and Light
Repair during the SkillsUSA National
Leadership & Skills Conference in 
Georgia last month. COURTESY PHOTO 

Dylan Armer of Windham, a student at Portland Arts & Technology High School (Portland), was awarded a Skill Point Certificate in Automotive Maintenance and Light Repair during the national competition.

An all-time high of 7,000 students competed in the 2026 SkillsUSA Championships at NLSC, which is the largest gathering of the future skilled workforce. As an indicator of proficiency, Skill Point Certificates were awarded to SkillsUSA Championships competitors who met a predetermined threshold score for their respective competitions. Students can add this certificate, an indicator of career readiness, to their employment portfolio.

To be invited to the SkillsUSA Championships, students first had to win their state-level competition, demonstrating their technical skills, workplace skills and personal skills. The national competition featured state champions from middle school, high school and college/postsecondary divisions across the country in 115 hands-on career and leadership competitions including robotics, automotive technology, drafting, criminal justice, aviation maintenance, public speaking and more.

Armer took home the Gold Medal in the Automotive Maintenance and Light Repair Competition at the 2026 State of Maine SkillsUSA Leadership and Skills Conference in March to qualify for this national competition.

The SkillsUSA Automotive Maintenance and Light Repair competition evaluates high school students on their ability to perform essential vehicle upkeep and basic fixes. Competitors are tested on engine systems, drivetrains, brakes, electrical, steering, and suspension, all while adhering to strict OSHA and EPA safety standards. It directly mirrors the Skills USA Categories and Descriptions task list, evaluating technical skills such as:
Professionalism: Interview performance, resume presentation, and employability skills.
Hands-on Stations: Diagnosing and servicing alternators, diagnosing check-engine codes, checking fluids, and rotating tires.
Written Assessments: General automotive knowledge and safety protocols

“This showcase of career and technical education demonstrates SkillsUSA at its finest,” said SkillsUSA Executive Director Chelle Travis. “Our students, instructors and industry partners work together to ensure that every student excels.”

The contest includes a series of workstations which consist of vehicles and/or simulators, components, service publications, and interpersonal skills stations, such as in customer service and job interviews. The competitions of the SkillsUSA Championships are created and judged by industry to ensure that students are learning the real-world skills employers demand from entry-level professionals.

In earning a Skill Point Certificate, Armer met or exceeded a specific, industry-recognized threshold score in his event to add to his resume as proof of his technical proficiency. Listing a SkillsUSA Skill Point Certificate on a resume showcases technical competencies, commitment to professional development, and involvement in industry-related activities, which may be valuable to employers.

The SkillsUSA Championships is the largest skill competition in the world and covers 1.79 million square feet, equivalent to 31 football fields or 41 acres. It’s supported by leaders from 850 businesses, corporations, trade associations and unions who planned and evaluated the competitors against their industry standards. More than 2,000 industry judges and technical committee members also volunteered their time to ensure a successful event.

The next NLSC will be held June 21 to June 25, 2027, in Atlanta. Learn more about SkillsUSA, the No. 1 workforce development organization for students, at www.skillsusa.org.

About Skills USA

SkillsUSA is the top workforce development organization for students, empowering them to become skilled professionals, career-ready leaders and responsible community members. SkillsUSA represents more than 440,000 career and technical education students and teachers in middle schools, high schools and college/postsecondary institutions nationwide. Those members represent 130 in-demand occupational areas, from 3-D animation to welding. <