SkillsUSA Names Missouri Automotive Student to 2026 WorldSkills USA Team

SkillsUSA Contact:
Clare Briner
cbriner@skillsusa.org

SkillsUSA has selected James Cahill of Saint James, Missouri, as the official U.S. competitor for Automobile 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, 2026, in Shanghai, China.

Cahill, an automotive student at State Technical College of Missouri and 2024 graduate of Rolla Technical Institute & Center, was the SkillsUSA Missouri high school state champion for Automotive Service Technology in 2023 and 2024, and the college/postsecondary champion in 2025. In 2024, he placed second in the nation at the SkillsUSA Championships held annually during the National Leadership & Skills Conference in Atlanta.

“My experience with SkillsUSA has prepared me by helping me to pursue opportunities outside of my comfort zone and to help others along the way,” Cahill said, adding that it is an honor to be selected and trusted to represent SkillsUSA on an international stage. The WorldSkills Competition 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.

“It’s a great opportunity to challenge myself and gain experience that I can use for the rest of my life,” he said. “Once upon a time going to nationals sounded crazy to me, but now here I am representing the whole country.”

Cahill called his selection a “major responsibility” and will prepare for the competition with the support of industry professionals and his expert, Rusty Brown, a senior engineer with Toyota Motor North America.

“I’m honored to be the Automotive Technical Expert and represent SkillsUSA at the WorldSkills Competition,” Brown said. “I’m very thrilled to have the opportunity to coach talented young professionals such as James Cahill and give back to the SkillsUSA organization.”

Cahill said this competition means a lot to him.

“When I was a child I had a fascination with how mechanical things worked, and in order to understand them I would take them apart,” he said. “The first thing I learned was how to take outlet covers off, which kept my mom pretty busy.”

He discovered his knack for automobile technology during an automotive class at school that allowed him to get hands-on and learn by doing.

“That really sparked my interest in cars due to the real world experience and actual fixing of vehicles,” Cahill said. “From there I started fixing my family’s, friends’, and friends-of-friends’ vehicles. The biggest thing to me about this career path is being able to help other people and benefitting the community.”

Cahill is the second competitor named to the U.S. delegation for the international competition. SkillsUSA will name additional competitors, experts and sponsors in the coming months.

To support Cahill and the WorldSkills USA team, donate at worldskillsusa.org/donate.

Pics: https://skillsusa.egnyte.com/fl/q3W3dK9Wv4hd#folder-link/Automotive

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.