Nurturing the NextGen: Orange County Building Safety Inspectors Judge National Technical Skills Competition

Three inspectors from the Orange County Division of Building Safety recently volunteered as judges at the SkillsUSA Florida Region 3 competition held on February 19, 2025, at Osceola Technical College in Kissimmee, Fla. The event brought together students specializing in various construction skills, including framing and plumbing, to showcase their abilities in a competitive setting.

SkillsUSA is a premier event that highlights the talents of America’s top career and technical education students. With more than 6,500 competitors nationwide, the program is one of the largest workforce development competitions in the world, giving participants the opportunity to demonstrate skills in real-life situations.

William Back, one of the Orange County inspectors who served as a judge, shared his experience observing students putting their knowledge to the test. “I’ve been plumbing for my entire working career, and I am still very passionate about the trade. I was interested to see the next generation of plumbers, and curious about how the trade is taught in school versus field experience,” Back said.

Back emphasized the value of hands-on experience, explaining that such learning often sticks with students longer than textbook lessons.

“During my judging role, I witnessed a few ‘aha’ moments, and you could almost hear the students say, ‘That’s how it’s done.’ This absolutely confirms to me that a well-taught lesson is well remembered, but a hands-on lesson makes more sense,” he added.

He believes integrating real-world job training into educational programs would better prepare students for future careers. “I see a bright future for people learning the trades,” he stated. “The SkillsUSA contest is an opportunity for students to test their knowledge in a practical environment, applying what they’ve learned in the classroom.”

Stephen Nagy, Jr., another inspector who also judged the competition, expressed his passion for mentoring youth and encouraging them toward positive career paths.

“I love kids, and if I can help and encourage even one young man on a positive path for the future, I am all in. It’s so very important to pour into the youth,” Nagy said.

He highlighted the determination and adaptability students demonstrated throughout the competition, particularly praising one participant who took the lead during group work.

“There was a young lady who took initiative and control of situations while everyone else waited to be told what to do. Again, that’s hard to come by these days, and she should be commended for that,” Nagy remarked.

Both inspectors expressed admiration for SkillsUSA’s role in preparing students for careers in the construction industry. Nagy emphasized the importance of hands-on learning, reflecting on his own journey.

“When I began in this industry, you learned everything by doing it yourself. Nowadays, builders want degrees, certifications, etc., just to walk on a job site or get an interview,” he noted. “If we’re honest, we would take a guy with real-world experience before a guy with a degree, but no field experience.”

The competition allowed students to construct projects based on provided blueprints, with judges evaluating their precision, teamwork, and overall workmanship.

Nagy concluded by saying, “It was a really enjoyable time with the young people, being able to help them along the way. It was also a well-needed change of pace and some good fellowship with other builders and professionals in the industry.”

The participation of Orange County Division of Building Safety inspectors in this competition reflects their commitment to nurturing the next generation of tradespeople and preparing them for successful careers in the construction field.