NMCC Students Earn Top Honors at SkillsUSA Maine State Conference
Konnor Lynds (right), silver medalist in the Electrical Construction Wiring category, competed at the SkillsUSA Maine State Competition in Bangor.
Students from Northern Maine Community College earned top honors at the 2026 SkillsUSA Maine State Leadership and Skills Conference, posting strong results in competitive events that showcased technical skill and workforce readiness in high-demand trades.
In Electrical Construction Wiring (college division), Electrical Construction and Maintenance student Robbie Poiesz earned a gold medal, while Konnor Lynds earned a silver medal. In Welding (college division), Structural Welding student Damyn Hebert earned a gold medal.
“We are proud of Robbie, Konnor and Damyn for earning top honors at the SkillsUSA Maine State Conference,” said Doug Binsfeld, president of Northern Maine Community College. “Their achievement reflects the strength of NMCC’s technical programs and the critical role career education plays in preparing a skilled workforce for Maine.”
The statewide conference was held at multiple Bangor-area venues, including Eastern Maine Community College, United Technologies Center, the Cross Insurance Center and Mid-Maine Technical Center. The annual event, themed “Champion Your Future,” brought together more than 1,000 high school career and technical education students and post-secondary competitors from Maine’s community colleges and technical programs.
Participants competed in hands-on skills competitions and leadership events across a wide range of career fields. The conference concluded with an awards ceremony recognizing student achievement and excellence in the skilled trades.
SkillsUSA is a national workforce development organization that supports students pursuing technical careers while fostering leadership growth. Competitions begin at the local level, advance to state conferences such as the Bangor event and may culminate in national championship opportunities for top performers.
“SkillsUSA provides students opportunities for growth and leadership that extend beyond the classroom,” said Jake Chouinard, NMCC faculty member in the Electrical Construction and Maintenance program. “It allows students to apply their technical training in a competitive environment and showcase their abilities to peers, families and potential employers.”
Students were supported by faculty advisors Jake Chouinard, Electrical Construction and Maintenance faculty member, and Rick Taggett, Structural Welding faculty member.
NMCC students have earned top honors at recent SkillsUSA state competitions, reflecting the college’s continued emphasis on hands-on technical training and workforce preparation.