LUZERNE COUNTY, Pa. — It's a competition for the best of the best in the world of trades in NEPA.
Luzerne County Community College in Nanticoke hosted the regional Skills USA competition for hundreds of high school students from career and technical centers.
"It is their sports, they don't play football, they don't play soccer. This is their way to compete," said Skills USA advisor Tom Czachor.
The competition focuses on 30 different trade-based skills like welding and automotive.
Junior Lydia Navaro from Delaware Valley says the best part about the competition is being around others with similar interests.
"In the future, I would love to see more girls getting into the auto field and being able to talk to customers and make fellow females feel more comfortable," said Navaro.
This year lots of students are participating in the competition for the first time. They tell Newswatch 16 the competition is fierce, but at the end of the day, it's about building their skills for their future careers.
"I tried, so I am excited that I tried. If I get first that is amazing, if I place that is amazing too but at least I tried," said Gracyn Keen.
"I think it is an opportunity for everybody. Like everybody having a different skill, and we are unique in our own way," said Addreanna Nielson.
Advisors from local career and technical centers say the number of students choosing trades is growing.
The regional competition hosted more than 400 students.
"College is expensive unless you get grants or scholarships. All of the career and technical schools, there is no cost to the students, it is included in their high school education so they can start an apprenticeship or an entry level job with no cost to them," said Czachor.
The regional winners move on to the state competition in April in Hershey.