DMACC Students Shine at Iowa SkillsUSA Conference

The Iowa SkillsUSA State Leadership and Skills Conference took place March 5-6 at the Iowa State Fairgrounds, drawing high school and postsecondary students from across the state to compete in a wide range of career and technical education events.

The annual conference features hands-on competitions designed to reflect real-world industry standards in fields such as construction, manufacturing, transportation, and leadership. Participants are evaluated not only on technical skill, but also on professionalism, teamwork, communication, and leadership competencies aligned with the SkillsUSA Framework. Local business and workforce leaders supported the event by providing industry equipment and serving as judges.

Students from Des Moines Area Community College (DMACC), including both high school and postsecondary competitors, participated in events such as automotive repair, criminal justice, crime scene investigation, and diesel technology. DMACC students earned first-place finishes in 15 competitions.

Those first-place winners advanced to the National SkillsUSA Championships, scheduled for June 1-5 in Atlanta, Georgia.