Two students from Lehigh Career & Technical Institute in Schnecksville and a team from Carbon Career & Technical Institute in Jim Thorpe, won the nation's highest awards at the SkillsUSA National Leadership and Skills Conference. Industry leaders representing over 600 businesses, corporations, trade associations and unions recognized the students for their demonstrated excellence in 99 hands-on occupational and leadership contests, such as robotics, criminal justice, aviation maintenance and public speaking.

Austin E Berger of Slatington was awarded the high school bronze medal in Power Equipment Technology.Robert S Metzger of Germansville was awarded the high school gold medal in CNC Turning.Team SA, consisting of Jocelyn M. Mansberry, Hunter R. Simmons and Preston Smith, was awarded a Skill Point Certificate in Career Pathways Business, Management and Technology.All contests are designed, run and judged by industry using industry standards.Top student winners received gold, silver and bronze medallions. Many also received prizes such as tools of their trade and/or scholarships to further their careers and education. The SkillsUSA Championships is for high school and college-level students who are members of SkillsUSA.In addition, highscorers in the contests received Skill Point Certificates. The Skill Point Certificate was awarded in 86 occupational and leadership areas to students who achieved a high score defined by industry. The SkillsUSA Championships have been a premier event since 1967. The Skill Point Certificates were introduced in 2009 as a component of the SkillsUSA Work Force Ready System.