LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Nicolas Veilleux, of Belgrade and a student at Mid-Maine Technical Center in Waterville, was awarded a Skill Point Certificate in Electrical Construction Wiring at the 2018 SkillsUSA Championships, held in Louisville, Kentucky, on June 27 and 28.

More than 6,300 students competed at the national showcase of career and technical education. The SkillsUSA Championships is the largest skill competition in the world and covers 1.4 million square feet, equivalent to 20 football fields or 25 acres, according to a news release from SkillsUSA.

Students were invited to the event to demonstrate their technical skills, workplace skills and personal skills in 102 hands-on occupational and leadership competitions including robotics, automotive technology, drafting, criminal justice, aviation maintenance and public speaking.

Industry leaders from 600 businesses, corporations, trade associations and unions planned and evaluated the contestants against their standards for entry-level workers. Industry support of the SkillsUSA Championships is valued at more than $36 million in donated time, equipment, cash and material. More than 1,900 industry judges and technical committee members participated this year, according to the release.

Skill Point Certificates were awarded in 72 occupational and leadership areas to students who met a predetermined threshold score in their competition, as defined by industry. The Skill Point Certificate is a component of SkillsUSA’s assessment program for career and technical education.

The SkillsUSA Championships event is held annually for students in middle school, high school or college/postsecondary programs as part of the SkillsUSA National Leadership and Skills Conference.

For more information, visit SkillsUSA.org.