PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release
Photos Attached
7/21/2014
Contact:
Sherry Abrams, Director of Public Relations
(706) 583-2552, [email protected]
Electronics Technology Student Wins First Place at National
Competition
ATHENS, GA (7/21/2014) – Recent Athens Technical College graduate Alex Noble won the
gold medal in Electronics Technology at the 50th Annual SkillsUSA National Leadership and Skills
Conference. Held in Kansas City June 25-26, the SkillsUSA Championships hosts competitions in
99 different trade, technical, and leadership fields. Over 6,000 students compete – all state
contest winners – and the conference draws more than 15,000 students, teachers, and business
partners.
During the two-day competition, Noble completed a written test in customer service, the
International Society of Certified Electronics Technicians exam (CET), and hands-on activities in
soldering, breadboarding, and troubleshooting.
“Working with existing electronics circuits and finding ways to make them better is part of what
makes the field of electronics exciting,” according to Dr. Ken Roberts, chair of the Electronics
Technology program.
“Having instructors who were enthusiastic about teaching electronics helped me to delve
deeper into the field,” said Noble.
Those winning skills were improved by hours spent at home and in the electronics lab
designing, building, and troubleshooting electronic circuits. Noble even built a power
electronics inductive heating element circuit that could be used for metallurgy. He and Roberts
agreed the extra lab time helped give him the edge over the competitors.
“We are so proud of Alex Noble and his instructor, Dr. Ken Roberts,” said Susan Larson, Dean of
the Technical and Industrial Division. “Alex is clearly above average and a great representative
of what an education at Athens Technical College offers. His accomplishments are even more
pronounced because of the support he receives from an organization like SkillsUSA, which
builds in healthy competition and avenues for students to excel and demonstrate their
knowledge and application in a real-world environment.”
“SkillsUSA allows students to showcase their skills in competitive events while earning
recognition that looks great on a résumé,” said Tonya Trapp, Athens Technical College SkillsUSA
Page 2 – SkillsUSA National Competition
advisor and Drafting Technology program chair. “Not only will this prepare a student to work
under pressure, but it will also give them a competitive edge in the workplace!”
The first place for Noble allows him the opportunity to compete at the 2015 WorldSkills
Competition in Brazil.
Kevin White, an Athens Technical College Drafting Technology student, was the state winner in
Architectural Drafting and placed 17th at the national competition.
Funding for Athens Technical College students and faculty to attend the SkillsUSA
Championships was provided by the Athens Tech Student Advisory Council (ATSAC).
Noble is a May 2014 graduate of Athens Technical College with an associate degree in
Electronics Technology.
About Athens Technical College: Since 1958, Athens Technical College has served citizens by
providing quality educational programs in a 10-county service area. It offers over 150 program
specializations in business, health, technical, and manufacturing-related areas. Students attend
Athens Technical College on five campuses (Athens-Clarke, Elbert, Greene, Walton Counties
plus the Athens Community Career Academy), Adult Learning Centers, and through Continuing
Education opportunities. Athens Technical College is an Equal Opportunity Institution and a
unit of the Technical College System of Georgia. To learn more about Athens Technical College
visit www.AthensTech.edu.
Photo caption: Alex Noble (right), SkillsUSA National Champion in Electronics Technology, practices in
the teaching lab with Dr. Ken Roberts, chair of Athens Technical College Electronics Technology
program.
Left to right: Tonya Trapp, Drafting program chair and SkillsUSA advisor; Alex Nobel, SkillsUSA National
Champion in Electronics Technology; Dr. Ken Roberts, chair of Athens Technical College Electronics
Technology program.
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