We are thrilled to share this story about 18 year old Parker Osterhout and his collaboration with Western States to compete in the National SkillsUSA Championship last month. 

Osterhout works on his family’s ranch and has been around machines and heavy equipment since he was about eight years old. With his decade of operation experience he came in first at the Idaho SkillsUSA competition this past spring. This gave him the opportunity to compete at nationals in Atlanta at the end of June. At the championship Osterhout had to demonstrate machine walk-arounds, component identification, and operate mini excavators, compact track loaders, compact wheel loaders (using payload) and articulated trucks. 

Last year he came in second place at the state competition but with determination he came in first this year solidifying his spot at nationals. Western States connected with Osterhout to help prepare for his competition in Atlanta. He came to our location in Pocatello to work with Product Application Specialist Kade Lusk. With Kade’s help, Parker was able to ask questions and receive one-on-one training before the competition. 

The National SkillsUSA Competition is one of the largest hands-on workforce development events in the world. It features more than 6,000 students from across the United States competing head to head in 115 different skills competitions. Competitors may earn scholarships, tools of the trade, and even job offers right on the competition floor. For more information you can go here. 

Osterhout placed third in the country at the SkillsUSA Championships, which is an incredible accomplishment. We are so excited about his outstanding performance and we look forward to seeing what he does next. Congratulations Parker!