WorldSkills USA Team shines in Shanghai, earns honors at the 'Olympics of Skilled Trades'

Welding competitor earns bronze; Plumbing and Heating, Cooking competitors recognized with Medal for Excellence

SHANGHAI, Sept. 28, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- The elite group of young skilled professionals that comprise the 2026 WorldSkills USA team made its mark on the global stage at the prestigious 48th WorldSkills Competition, widely recognized as the "Olympics of skilled trades."

Nine U.S. competitors—all SkillsUSA champions in their home states—showcased their career skills against the best-of-the-best from around the world Sept. 22-27.

Mikala Sposito, a 21-year-old SkillsUSA Michigan welding champion, earned a bronze medal in the rigorous Welding competition with a highly competitive field. Sposito, a student at Washtenaw Community College, spent thousands of hours training for the competition and is the first female to represent the U.S. in this skill competition.

She qualified for WorldSkills by competing at the SkillsUSA Championships then earned her spot on the WorldSkills USA team through a series of welding trials administered by the American Welding Society (AWS), which oversees the selection process for SkillsUSA. 

"Mikala represents the pinnacle of American skilled talent," said Chelle Travis, Executive Director of SkillsUSA. "Her dedication to her craft and precise technical skills are truly remarkable. She and the rest of WorldSkills USA Team are shining examples of American career and technical education and the workforce talent driving our economy. We commend their successes on the global stage and celebrate their bright futures."

Two members of the U.S. delegation also won a Medal for Excellence, an official distinction awarded to competitors who achieve a high standard of skills can score 700 points or more on the official WorldSkills scoring scale.

Elizabeth Brown, a 22-year-old Cooking competitor from Missouri, showcased world-class culinary technique, speed and artistic precision and earned this designation among 18 other competitors in the 45-person field. Brown's WorldSkills appearance was supported by Unilever, ZWILLING and Smithfield Foods.

Charles Goede, a 20-year-old from Connecticut, also earned the Medal for Excellence designation for his performance in the Plumbing and Heating competition. A dedicated plumbing apprentice, Goede showcased his mastery of advanced fluid, pressure and climate systems. He received comprehensive support and training from a coalition of industry leaders, including the Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors Association (PHCC) Educational Foundation, the International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials (IAPMO), UA Plumbers and Pipefitters Local 777 JATC and DEWALT.

The remainder of 2026 WorldSkills USA delegation finished admirably within their skills areas. These competitors include:

• Automobile Technology: James Cahill, 20 (Missouri) — A skilled automotive student who has demonstrated mastery over complex mechanical diagnostics and vehicle systems.
• Carpentry: Tristan Coates, 22 (Florida) — A business owner and former national champion who brings extensive structural and craft excellence to the team.
• CNC Milling: Alexis Squyres, 21 (Pennsylvania) — A graduate of Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology and national bronze medalist, specializing in complex multi-axis precision machining. She is the first female to represent the U.S. in this skill competition.
• Heavy Vehicle Technology: Benjamin Strupp, 21 (Wisconsin) — An exceptional diesel technician specializing in heavy industrial machinery, diagnostics and large-scale transportation repair.
• Mechatronics: Evan Chow, 24, and James (Jack) Sutherland, 24 (Tennessee) — A powerhouse duo representing Tennessee in the intensive two-person industrial automation and robotic systems engineering competition.

Chow and Sutherland were selected by SkillsUSA as the recipients of the Best of Nation award. Each country participating in the WorldSkills Competition selects a competitor from their national team to receive this special honor. As a two-person team, both men receive this honor.

"Evan and Jack epitomize teamwork, cooperation and commitment," Travis said. "They were selected as Best of Nation for not only performing well on the international stage but exemplifying the American spirit and SkillsUSA's values."

Held every two years, the WorldSkills Competition is the world's largest international gathering of skilled talent. About 1,400 competitors from 73 countries and regions competed in 64 skills, including seven new emerging occupations.

SkillsUSA, the #1 workforce development organizations for students, has served as the official U.S. representative to WorldSkills since 1973 with the first U.S. delegation competing in 1975. More than 300 Americans have competed at WorldSkills.

Ensuring peak performance in Shanghai, each team member was supported by business and industry partners and paired with a dedicated technical expert who planned and managed their training regimen. Competitors engaged in virtual training sessions and intensive in-person practices across the United States, Europe and Asia to refine their skills to world-class standards.

This year's experts in Shanghai include Rusty Brown, Automobile Technology; James Redd, Car Painting; Boyd Worsham, Carpentry; Alden "JR" Colvin, CNC Milling; Greg Beachey, Cooking; Greg Vannorsdel, Heavy Vehicle Technology; Joshua Whittington, Mechatronics; Larry Shoemaker, Plumbing and Heating; Shelia Hyde-Clower, Restaurant Service; and Ray Connolly, Welding.

Participation is made possible by the support of business and industry partners, especially 3M, American Welding Society, DENSO, DEWALT, PHCC Educational Foundation and Tennant Company. Other partners include Caterpillar, Inc., John Deere, PPG Industries, Inc., Unilever, Zwilling, UA Local 777 JATC, Lincoln Electric, NCCER, Smithfield Foods, CERATIZIT and Red Wing Shoe Company. SkillsUSA also acknowledges numerous individual donors who have generously supported the WorldSkills USA team.

To learn more about the WorldSkills USA team, its experts, sponsors and history, visit worldskillsusa.org Support the team's journey to Shanghai by visiting worldskillsusa.org/donate.

About SkillsUSA

SkillsUSA is the #1 workforce development organization for students, empowering them to become skilled professionals, career-ready leaders and responsible community members. SkillsUSA represents more than 444,000 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 3D animation to welding. A vital solution to the skills gap, SkillsUSA has served over 16 million members since its founding in 1965. Learn more at skillsusa.org.

About WorldSkills USA

SkillsUSA serves as the official U.S. representative to WorldSkills International, a global organization focused on elevating the visibility and recognition of skilled professionals. Under the name WorldSkills USA, SkillsUSA represents the United States in WorldSkills competitions. SkillsUSA (then known as VICA) was designated in 1973, and the U.S. first participated in the WorldSkills Competition in 1975. Learn more at worldskillsusa.org.

SOURCE SkillsUSA