Preston Hanners competed in the Job Skill Demonstration A. (Cullman County Schools)
Preston Hanners, a dedicated student at Cullman Area Technology Academy (CATA), recently competed in the North District Alabama SkillsUSA competition and achieved an outstanding first-place victory in Job Skill Demonstration A. This competition required students to demonstrate a specific technical skill within their career pathway, following the official SkillsUSA guidelines.
For his demonstration, Preston showcased his expertise in precision measuring tools, effectively teaching their proper use and importance in manufacturing. Competitors in Job Skill Demonstration A must present a skill that can be taught to others, ensuring clarity, accuracy and adherence to industry standards. The competition evaluates participants on organization, presentation skills, technical knowledge and the ability to engage the audience while demonstrating safe and effective techniques.
Preston’s win highlights his strong communication skills, technical proficiency and ability to instruct others — qualities essential for success in the manufacturing industry. His achievement reflects his hard work, dedication and the high-quality training provided at Cullman Area Technology Academy. He will now advance to the next level, continuing to represent CATA with excellence.
The SkillsUSA Alabama Class Project Team competition challenges students to develop and present a project that benefits their school or community while showcasing teamwork, leadership and technical skills. Teams must document their project’s objectives, planning, execution and impact, following SkillsUSA guidelines.
CATA’s Precision Machining students chose to highlight the live work they are performing for a private company, demonstrating real-world applications of their machining skills. Their project showcased how classroom training translates into industry-relevant experience, emphasizing precision, quality control and collaboration. Teams are evaluated on project originality, organization, teamwork and overall impact. The students presented their project through a professional oral presentation, supported by visual documentation of their work. This competition reinforces career readiness, problem-solving and industry engagement, preparing students for success in the workforce.
