The SkillsUSA Mobile Electronics national contest was recently held in Atlanta with 16 contestants who progressed from the state level.
Bernnie-Jean Francois from North Dakota took the top award for high school students. Last year, she came in third place.
Tanner Todd from Missouri won the top spot for secondary school/college students. He had won the top spot for high school students last year.
A student at a soldering station during the Mobile Electronics national finals.
High schools that participated in the program, which trains students in mobile electronics installation (using MECP guidelines) were from states including OK, MI, TX, SC, NJ, IL, MD, GA, CA, ND, MO, and NC.
Secondary school contestants came from states including GA, MO, GA, and MO.
All winners receive free registration to attend Master Tech Expo in March 2025 (a value of $899 for all six of the finalists) donated by Mobile Solutions.
Onsite judges for the contest, each volunteering their time included:
Scott Dilbeck, Sky High Audio
Aaron Malin, KICKER
Jacob Luckey, KICKER
James Simpson, VickersAV Distributing.
Randy Goodwin, DB Research
Bryan Gary, Retired manufacturer’s rep and shop owner
Support, funding and prizes for the contest came from the following: KICKER Tech Force, KICKER Electronics, Sony, JVC/ KENWOOD, Metra, VOXX /Viper car alarms, JBL/Infinity, MECP, DOW Electronics, Taylor Marketing, Mobile Electronics Association, BOSS Electronics, The 12-Volt Dashboard, Mobile Solutions, and Sky High Audio.
Chris Jack, Technical Chairperson for Mobile Electronics Installation at SkillsUSA, said, “This year’s Skills USA championships were a huge success. We had students from 12 states. I have a lot of interest from more states for next year. Last year we had 9 states. This could not have happened without the help of all the industry support this year in judges and prizes.”
The national contest requires $20,000 for next year at a minimum, said Jack.
Prizes for the 2024 finals were as follows:
Gold $1500.00 KICKER.com, Sony XAV-AX6000, $3000 in Snap on tools, QDJ15WP portable audio system from DB Research.
Silver $1100.00 KICKER.com Sony XAV-AX4000, $2500 in Snap on tools, dB Research QDJ12WP portable audio system.
Bronze $650.00 KICKER.com, Sony, XAV-AX3500, $2000 in Snap on tools, dB Research QDJ8WP portable audio system.
For more information and donations, contact Chris Jack at [email protected]
Congratulations to all the winners. Our industry needs more programs like this to support our next generation of trusted technicians. Thanks to all who participated.