JACKSON, NJ – The Ocean County Vocational Technical School District (OCVTS) Jackson campus proudly hosted the New Jersey SkillsUSA Championship Competition in Motorcycle Service Technology on March 18, 2026. This prestigious event brought together top high school students from across the state to showcase their expertise in motorcycle mechanics, diagnostics, and repair.

SkillsUSA is a national organization dedicated to equipping students with the leadership, teamwork, and technical skills necessary for career success. As a cornerstone of career and technical education, SkillsUSA fosters workforce development by connecting students with industry professionals and providing opportunities for hands-on learning.

As part of the New Jersey SkillsUSA Championships, motorcycle service competitors participated in hands-on technical challenges that showcased their skills in diagnosing and troubleshooting technical issues. Working with a KTM 50 SX Pro high-performance two-stroke motocross bike, students completed tasks such as compression testing, electrical diagnostics, wheel inspection, and wheel assembly runout measurement. They also performed various precision measurements, including piston ring thickness, spark plug gap, and valve spring free length, along with component and parts identification—all while adhering to strict safety procedures.

With more than 114 career and technical skill events held statewide, the competition serves as a gateway for students to advance to the highly anticipated National Leadership and Skills Conference (NLSC), taking place in Atlanta, GA, from June 1–5, 2026.

This year, OCVTS proudly fielded Jake Wnek as a competitor in the Motorcycle Service Technology category. Additionally, Cumberland County Technical Education Center (CCTEC) was represented by Denise Hernandez, and Jayden Rodriguez as competitors. These students demonstrated remarkable skill and determination as they competed for top honors and the opportunity to represent New Jersey on the national stage.

The competition was coordinated by Adam Malinowski, OCVTS Automotive Technology Instructor, whose dedication was instrumental in every aspect of the event’s success with assistance from Greg Cullen, SkillsUSA Advisor/ OCVTS Diesel Instructor, William Polperio, OCVTS Cooperative Education Coordinator, Robyn Chiarello, OCVTS Administrative Assistant and Jennifer Etzkorn, SkillsUSA Administrator/OCVTS Jackson Center Vice Principal. Their expertise ensured a rigorous and fair evaluation of the competitors' abilities, highlighting the high standards of excellence in motorcycle service technology.

With the Motorcycle Service Technology portion of the New Jersey competition now concluded, the soon-to-be-announced top winners will prepare to compete at the NLSC in Atlanta, where they will face state champions from across the country in the largest gathering of America's future skilled workforce.


About Ocean County Vocational Technical School
Ocean County Vocational Technical School provides an intensive and immersive educational experience aligned with the current and emerging demands of business, industry, and advanced education. We instill the knowledge, skills, and competencies required for students to experience success in entering the workforce, advancing along a career pathway, and achieving career aspirations. Please visit www.ocvts.org to learn more.