Towamensing man to compete in WorldSkills competition
Brett Ottinger of Towamensing Township wanted to travel to Europe this summer with or without being named to the WorldSkills competition being held in London during October. He had never been overseas and thought it was time.
He was thrilled when the call came that he was named to the United States team for WorldSkills in the cabinetmaking competition. The family had just finished eating when the call came and he was "definitely thrilled."Ottinger attended Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology in Lancaster where he studied cabinetmaking. His present job is doing millwork in an Easton shop.But his rise to the top of his profession began as he followed his father around in his basement shop. His present home, where he lives with parents Kimberly and Charles and brother Matt, also has a small basement shop.His career moved ahead as he studied woodworking in Palmerton Area High School where he took wood shop for four years. The next stop was the college of technology where his instructor urged him to enter the SkillsUSA competitions.The steps leading to an invitation to enter the World competition are to win at a regional, state and national level. However, there were too few entries to have a regional level contest, so Ottinger began at the state level.Competitors are told what they have to build. Each is given three drawings to study. They have a month for the study, but the final plan chosen will be changed by 30 percent so it is not exactly what was given for study purposes.Although the competition takes only four to five days, Ottinger will be in London from Sept. 30 to Oct. 10.SkillsUSA pays all transportation costs, a hotel room and food during the stay in London.Ottinger began his own woodworking business but quit in favor of the Easton job. He has several pieces on hand that will be sold and can custom-make furniture.He can be reached at 484-464-1859 or
bwott2@ptd.net.The United States is sending 22 high school and college students who are entered in 20 categories.SkillsUSA is an organization of 300,000 students in 4,000 high schools and colleges in the United States. Its reason for being is to ensure that America has a skilled workforce. The 150,000 expected visitors at the competition have the opportunity to "Have A Go" at dozens of skills.Also from Pennsylvania is Kayla Toncik from Nazareth, who is entered in the car painting competition.For information about the WorldSkills International Competition check
www.worldskillslondon2011.com. SkillsUSA can be contacted at