Students to Test Job Skills in Regional Competition

More than 600 vocational students will compete today in categories ranging from cabinetmaking to cosmetology as part of a regional contest sponsored by Vocational Industrial Clubs of America.

At El Camino Real High School, for example, students will have four hours to make a small jewelry box from scratch.

“This project takes the kids through every piece of equipment in the shop so they have to know [the machinery],” said Barry Lampke, a wood shop teacher at the school and a regional coordinator for the vocational group.

The public is invited to watch the competitions, which run from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. and conclude with an awards ceremony at 2 p.m.

Welding and machine shop contests will be held at the North Valley Occupational Center, 11450 Sharp Ave., Mission Hills.

Competitions in cosmetology, auto mechanics, electrical trades, drafting, advertising design and printing will be held at the West Valley Occupational Center, 6200 Winnetka Ave., Woodland Hills. There will also be another drafting competition across the street at Pierce College, 6201 Winnetka Ave.

Cabinetmaking and construction contests will take place at El Camino Real High, 5440 Valley Circle Blvd., Woodland Hills.

The gold medal winners from today’s events will compete in the State Skills Championships in April in Riverside. State winners advance to the national finals, to be held this summer in Kansas City.