Event also used for networking
Ayden Dobbels, a secondyear student at Mid-America Technology Center (MATC) studying diesel technology, took home the gold medal at the Oklahoma SuperTech FutureTech Skills Competition held Friday, May 9.
Dobbels, from Blanchard, will now advance to the national championship in Raleigh, North Carolina, this September, where he will represent Oklahoma at the American Trucking Association’s Technology & Maintenance Council SuperTech and FutureTech Skills Competition.
The State competition was held in the Diesel Technology building at Francis Tuttle Technology Center’s Reno Campus in Oklahoma City. Often referred to simply as “SuperTech,” the annual event draws both students and seasoned professionals from across the diesel truck maintenance and repair industry.
Competitors faced a rigorous challenge that involved a written exam and hands-on testing at 13 stations, each focusing on areas of diesel truck service.
These stations covered topics such as brake systems, wheel alignment, engine diagnostics, fluid identification, fasteners, lighting systems, and tire inflation, among others.
A total of 25 participants, including students from CareerTech programs and working professionals from local repair shops and dealerships, put their skills to the test. Industry experts not only scored the competition but also used the event as a networking opportunity in a field that is actively seeking new, qualified technicians.
Bonne Karim, who oversees the Oklahoma Competition, emphasized the importance of events like SuperTech in bridging the gap between education and employment.
This competition is specifically designed to allow students to showcase their abilities, and it opens doors to careers in a high-demand industry.
Dobbels’ win underscores the strength of Oklahoma’s CareerTech diesel programs and highlights the opportunities available for skilled trades students. His next stop on the road to success is the National stage in Raleigh.
