Cuesta College student Michael Mullen will represent the United States in Automobile Technology during the biennial WorldSkills Competition in São Paulo, Brazil. Mullen is the only Californian to compete as one of 19 members of the SkillsUSA WorldTeam in the 43rd international event, being held August 11-16, 2015.
“It means a lot to me to be chosen to represent the United States in an international competition,” Mullen said. “Just to make it this far and to be selected is extremely gratifying. I’m honored to be able to represent my country and Cuesta College at WorldSkills.”
The San Luis Obispo native won the right to compete at the international competition by earning the high-school gold medal while a student at SLO High School, and later nabbed a college/postsecondary silver medal in the Automotive Service Technology competition at the SkillsUSA Championships as a Cuesta College student. In addition, Mullen won a silver medal at the WorldSkills Americas 2014 competition in Bogotá, Columbia.
In the WorldSkills Automobile Technology contest, competitors must show knowledge of electrical systems construction and testing, brake and stability control systems, suspension and steering systems, engine mechanical repair, manual and automatic transmissions, diesel systems, engine management, diagnostics, electrical harnesses on modern cars, and where to search for information in a workshop manual to interpret diagnostic trouble codes.
“I have watched as Michael competes, and wins, in almost everything he participates in,” said John Stokes, Cuesta College’s division chair of engineering and technology. “There is very little that is outside of the realm of possibility that Michael could accomplish. I am confident he will do well at the WorldSkills Competition.”
This is the second time Cuesta College will send one of its students to compete at WorldSkills. In 2011, Cuesta student Daniel Lehmkuhl competed in automobile technology at WorldSkills International in London. Cuesta College has also been on the SkillsUSA national podium for the past nine years. SkillsUSA is a partnership of students, teachers and industry representatives, working together to ensure America has a skilled workforce.
Every two years, hundreds of young people from more than 73 countries and regions compete in the WorldSkills Competition. This year more than 1,200 students will compete in 50 occupational skill areas. Member countries include Israel, Japan, England, Saudi Arabia, Canada, Australia, Thailand, Argentina and many others.