Search | Menu Madison College grad earns spot on 'Olympics of skilled trades' team
SkillsUSA has selected Madison College grad Benjamin Strupp as the U.S.’s official competitor in Heavy Vehicle Technology for the 2026 WorldSkills Competition. This prestigious international skills competition, known as the “Olympics of skilled trades,” will be held Sept. 22 -27 in Shanghai, China.
Strupp, a diesel technician, was the SkillsUSA Wisconsin state champion in Diesel Equipment Technology for both the high school and college/post-secondary 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. Strupp graduated from Madison College in spring 2025 with an associate's degree in Diesel Mechanics Technology/Technician.
A world competitor
“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.
Pursuing a dream in college
Strupp was inspired to apply for consideration for the WorldSkills USA team by his Madison College Diesel Technology instructor and WorldSkills advisor, Tom Wozniak, 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 a competitor.”
Wozniak says it's a major accomplishment for Strupp: “This is the Olympics of skilled trades. Ben will be competing against students from 18 other countries. It's incredibly rare—Madison College hasn't had someone reach this level in 17 years.”
Heavy Vehicle Technology is the fifth competition in which the U.S. delegation will compete during WorldSkills. For more information, visit the WorldSkills web page.
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.
Wozniak hopes that Strupp's accomplishment will inspire other Madison College students to get involved with SkillsUSA: "There’s nothing holding students back but themselves. It starts right here—competing, learning, and believing you can go further than you ever imagined."
Strupp agrees, encouraging others to compete: “I recommend it 100 percent. The people you meet, the places you go, and what you learn—it’s an amazing experience. If I could do it again, I would have started sooner.”
