Mid-State Technical College is celebrating a national championship after Precision Machining Technician student Austin Young earned a gold medal in CNC Programming at the 2026 SkillsUSA® National Leadership & Skills Conference, the nation’s premier showcase of career and technical education students, held June 1-5 in Atlanta, Ga.
Competing against the country's best technical college students, Young demonstrated exceptional expertise in CNC programming, blueprint interpretation, manufacturing processes and problem-solving to earn the national title.
Young was one of three Mid-State students who qualified to compete at the national conference this year. Their results included:
• Austin Young – Gold Medal, CNC Programming
• Kaila Wineka – 8th Place, Criminal Justice
• Kris Adams – 18th Place, Culinary Arts
"Winning a national championship is something I never imagined when I first started as a youth apprentice," said Young. "The hands-on experience, support from my instructors and opportunities to compete through SkillsUSA challenged me to grow both technically and professionally. I'm proud to represent Mid-State and show what students in the Precision Machining Technician program can accomplish."
The accomplishments continue Mid-State's tradition of excellence at SkillsUSA national competitions. In recent years, Mid-State students have earned a Silver Medal in CNC Programming, Bronze Medals in CNC Turning Programmer and Related Technical Math and numerous Top 10 finishes at the national level.
"This national championship is a tremendous accomplishment for Austin and a testament to the dedication he has shown throughout his training," said Mid-State Technical College Precision Machining instructor and SkillsUSA advisor Mike Berry. "SkillsUSA competitions challenge students to perform at the highest level against the best talent from across the country. Austin's success demonstrates not only his skill and work ethic but also the strength of the hands-on training and industry-focused education students receive in our Precision Machining Technician program."
Young's achievement also highlights the impact of Mid-State's Wayne H. Bushman Advanced Manufacturing, Engineering Technology, and Apprenticeship (AMETA®) Center in Stevens Point. The state-of-the-art facility serves as a hub for advanced manufacturing education, workforce training, engineering technology and apprenticeship programs designed to meet the growing needs of Wisconsin employers.
Within the AMETA Center, students in the Precision Machining Technician program gain hands-on experience using industry-standard equipment, software and manufacturing technologies while developing skills in CNC programming, machining operations, quality control and production processes. Graduates are prepared for rewarding careers in advanced manufacturing, one of Wisconsin's most in-demand industries.
The CNC Programming competition is among SkillsUSA's most technically demanding contests, requiring competitors to apply advanced manufacturing knowledge, programming expertise, mathematics, precision measurement and critical thinking to solve real-world industry challenges. Success at this level demonstrates readiness for careers in today's highly skilled manufacturing workforce.
"As manufacturers continue to adopt advanced technologies and automation, the demand for highly skilled CNC programmers and machinists continues to grow," Berry said. "Competitions like SkillsUSA provide students with an opportunity to showcase their abilities while proving that Mid-State graduates are prepared to excel in the modern manufacturing environment."
The SkillsUSA National Leadership & Skills Conference brings together thousands of students from across the United States to compete in more than 100 occupational and leadership contests that measure technical proficiency against industry standards.
For Mid-State, Young's national championship represents more than an individual achievement—it showcases the college's commitment to developing the next generation of manufacturing professionals and providing students with pathways to high-demand, high-wage careers.
"SkillsUSA showed me what's possible when you commit to learning and continually improving your skills," Young said. "For anyone interested in manufacturing, Mid-State's Precision Machining Technician program provides the tools, experience and opportunities to build a successful career."
Learn more about Mid-State Technical College's Precision Machining Technician program and opportunities available through the AMETA Center at mstc.edu/ameta.
