ROCHESTER — Calvin Paine, a Rochester resident and student at Old Colony Regional Vocational Technical High School was awarded a Skill Point Certificate in Electrical Construction Wiring.

More than 6,500 students competed in the 2025 SkillsUSA Championships, a national showcase of career and technical education. The Championships is the largest skill competition in the world, covering 1.79 million square feet, or 41 acres and is held annually for students in middle school through college and postsecondary programs.

First place state winners were invited to the event to demonstrate their technical skills, workplace skills and personal skills in 114 hands-on occupational and leadership competitions, including robotics, automotive technology, criminal justice, public speaking and aviation maintenance.

Industry leaders from 850 businesses, corporations, trade associations and unions planned and evaluated the contestants against their standards for entry-level workers, with more than 1.200 industry judges and technical committee members participating this year.

“Our students, instructors and industry partners work together to ensure that every student excels,” said SkillsUSA Executive Director Chelle Travis. “This program expands learning and career opportunities for our members.”