SkillsUSA Georgia Coming Soon

PIAG is planning for the 2009 SkillsUSA Georgia competitions. We hope to have the maximum entries in the graphic communications and advertising design competitions. If you are planning a regional competition and would like sample tests, please email me at srodman@piag.org.

The Printing and Imaging Association of Georgia (PIAG) is sponsoring the statewide competitions at the United States headquarters of global print manufacturer Heidelberg USA on April 17. In addition, we are hosting a full day training session with industry professionals for the student competitors to prepare for the competition. PIAG hosted this same program last year and our state graphic communications winner placed second in the national competition and has been invited to compete for a spot on the WorldSkills team!

As sponsors of the SkillsUSA Georgia statewide graphic communications and advertising design competitions, PIAG has assembled more than 25 industry professionals to assist in creating, administering, training and judging these competitions. In addition, we have partnered with AIGA, the professional design association to offer specific expertise in advertising design. Students are given intensive training prior to the competition on the latest equipment used within the industry today and access to professionals working daily on the equipment. After the competition, all contestants are given extensive feedback on their performance with specific suggestions for improvement.

PIAG is also offering assistance to teachers in preparing their students for the competition. On PIAG’s website under the About the Foundation section there are resources and information on the SkillsUSA competition including the equipment used, training videos on the equipment, copies of old contests for review, and a link to Graph Comm Net, a social network for industry and academia on educational issues including SkillsUSA.

Finally, The Trustees of the Printing and Imaging Association of Georgia Foundation have committed to offer scholarships to the winners of the statewide graphic communications and advertising design competitions. In addition, the Foundation will sponsor the winner and their advisor to attend the National SkillsUSA competition in Kansas City, MO.

Georgia teachers and students, we hope to see you in Atlanta on April 17. For industry, we'd love for you to participate in this great event. We are looking for sponsorships, prizes, gift bag donations and your expertise. Contact me at srodman@piag.org if you'd like to get involved in this great event.