SkillsUSA Contact:
Clare Briner
cbriner@skillsusa.org
LEESBURG, VA – January 26, 2026 – SkillsUSA has selected Benjamin Strupp, of Holmen, Wis., as the U.S.’s official competitor in Heavy Vehicle Technology for the 2026 WorldSkills Competition. This prestigious international skills competition, often referred to as the “Olympics of skilled trades,” will be held Sept. 22 -27 in Shanghai, China.
Strupp, a diesel technician, is a graduate of Madison Area Technical College and Holmen High School. He was the SkillsUSA Wisconsin state champion in Diesel Equipment Technology for both the high school and college/postsecondary divisions in 2023 and 2025 respectively. He placed second in the nation at the 2025 SkillsUSA Championships held during the annual National Leadership & Skills Conference in Atlanta.
“I have been around heavy equipment and trucks from a young age,” Strupp said. “This industry has been a major part of my life, and when I learned in high school that I could compete in an event that showcased the skills I knew best, I immediately pursued it. Continuing that path into college proved to be one of the best decisions I have ever made.”
In the SkillsUSA Championships, competitors cycle through stations testing and troubleshooting engines, electrical and electronics systems, and powertrain systems including chassis, transmissions, and carriers. They demonstrate skills in hydraulic systems, vehicle inspections, fundamental failure analysis, brake systems, air-conditioning systems, and general shop skills. Competitors also perform a job interview and complete a written test.
Strupp said he was inspired to apply for consideration for the WorldSkills USA team by one of his college instructors who believed in his potential and challenged him to work harder.
“He explained that with hard work and dedication, I could earn the opportunity to represent the United States at the WorldSkills competition in China, in 2026,” Strupp said. “That conversation motivated me to push myself and commit fully to my training. It feels incredible that someone from a small town in Wisconsin could train, work hard, and be chosen to represent my skills and knowledge as the competitor.”
Strupp’s expert for the WorldSkills Competition is Greg Vannorsdel, Product Consultant for John Deere. John Deere and Caterpillar are sponsoring Strupp’s and Vannorsdel’s participation in this international competition.
Vannorsdel, who has volunteered his time with SkillsUSA for a decade and was a student competitor himself when SkillsUSA was still known as VICA, is excited to help Strupp and the WorldSkills USA delegation shine on the international stage.
“This isn’t just a role, it’s a chance to elevate our industry, invest in the next generation of talent, and prove that American skill can compete with the best in the world,” Vannorsdel said. “For years, I’ve poured my energy into SkillsUSA and future generations of diesel technicians, driving positive change and building trust as a national leader.”
Strupp is eager to train over the next nine months.
“From now until the competition, my training is extremely intensive, with a demanding schedule filled with travel and hands-on experience,” Strupp said, noting that self-discipline is the “most important part” of his preparation.
Heavy Vehicle Technology is the fifth competition in which the U.S. delegation will compete during WorldSkills. WorldSkills brings together young people, industry, education, and government leaders from around the world to advance career and technical education and training. Competitors vie for international honors in skill competitions, showcasing dozens of trade skills.
SkillsUSA already has named competitors in Mechatronics, Automobile Technology, Plumbing and Heating and Cooking. SkillsUSA will name additional competitors, experts and sponsors as it assembles the U.S. delegation in the coming months.
To support the WorldSkills USA team, donate at worldskillsusa.org/donate.
About WorldSkills USA
WorldSkills USA is the official U.S. representative to WorldSkills International, which is a global organization dedicated to raising the profile and recognition of skilled professionals. Since 1973, WorldSkills USA has been managed and represented by SkillsUSA.
About SkillsUSA
SkillsUSA is the #1 workforce development organization for students, empowering them to become skilled professionals, career-ready leaders and responsible community members. SkillsUSA represents more than 444,000 career and technical education students and teachers in middle schools, high schools and college/postsecondary institutions nationwide. Those members represent 130 in-demand occupational areas, from 3-D animation to welding. A vital solution to the skills gap, SkillsUSA has served over 15 million members since its founding in 1965. Learn more at skillsusa.org and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, X and LinkedIn.
About WorldSkills
Since 1950, WorldSkills has come to symbolize the pinnacle of excellence in vocational training. It provides a unique means of exchange and comparison of world-class competency standards in the industrial trades and service sectors of the global economy. The continued growth of WorldSkills attests to the fact that traditional trade and craft skills, along with newer technology’s multi-skilled occupations, make an essential contribution to the economic and social well-being of people everywhere. For more information, go to: www.worldskills.org.