(March 17, 2014) - The Bristol Technical Education Center’s (TEC) SkillsUSA Team will now have official red SkillsUSA blazers and a SkillsUSA banner with the school’s logo on it, unifying the team and building the students’ confidence. The blazers and the banner were purchased with a $1,520 grant from the Technical Education Fund at Main Street Community Foundation.

“We were the only ones not in SkillsUSA uniform,” stated Joyce Mowrey, Principal at Bristol TEC, of past competitions.

According to Mowrey, SkillsUSA is an organization dedicated to bringing teachers, students and industry together to ensure that America has a skilled workforce. SkillsUSA hosts regional, state and national competitions annually where students compete in their chosen trade, which can be culinary arts, automotive technology, welding or public speaking among others. The regionals were held in February and the state competition will be held on March 28.

“This year we had 15 students qualify to compete in regionals in the Interview, Public Speaking and Individual Trade competitions,” said Mowrey. “The blazers give us a chance to look like a team, and in turn feel like one.”

Bristol TEC is the only school in its district that is not a high school. It has students in grades 11 and 12 as well as post-graduate students participating in intense one or two year programs. “It has been difficult at times for the students to find the time and energy to devote to the SkillsUSA competition and the team,” said Mowrey.

The blazers and the banner unite the students on Bristol TEC’s team while creating a sense of equality amongst the other teams competing. 

The Technical Education Fund is a donor advised fund that was established at the Main Street Community Foundation in 2005 by former Bristol residents Bill and Jean Johnson. Grants from the fund support projects which will enhance the quality and reputation of technical education in the greater Bristol community and support students who wish to pursue a career in a technical field.